Dietitian (Clinical) Home-Based Primary Care - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Full Job Description

The Home Based Primary Care Dietitian plans, develops and directs all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential.

Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.

Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam.

~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN.

A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-07: Dietitian (Clinical) (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-7 assignments include: working under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion.

Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines.

Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals.

They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems.

Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.

They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.

GS-09: Dietitian (Clinical) (Developmental) - Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

GS-9 assignment includes: performing increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP.

They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems.

Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.

They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives.

Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section.

Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.

Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).

Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Ability to develop patient-centered goals. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.

Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation).

Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Skill in developing patient-centered goals.

Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience: Has active current registration status via the CDR If no active registration, has successfully completed all steps necessary to take the RD exam.

Has worked in clinical nutrition patient care in both/either the inpatient and/or outpatient setting. Ability to clearly communicate and adjust communication methods to accommodate age specific groups.

Ability to prepare and implement an individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy plan Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: A pre-placement examination will be required to be able to determine if the incumbent is able to safely operate a government vehicle.

The following requirements must be met: distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction, field of vision 70 degrees, ability to distinguish red, green and amber, whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs.

at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz. Major Duties:

NOTE: This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 4/24/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The incumbent will be a member of HBPC providing comprehensive, interdisciplinary primary care services in the homes of Veterans with complex, chronic, and disabling disease.

In addition to primary care interventions, HBPC provides palliative care, rehabilitation, disease management, and care coordination services.

HBPC targets Veterans in advanced stages of chronic disease, particularly those at elevated risk for recurrent hospitalization or nursing home placement.

Outcomes expected of HBPC include effective management of chronic disease and reduction of inpatient days and total cost of care.

HBPC teams include representatives from medicine service, nursing, pharmacy, social work, rehabilitation, dietetics and psychology.

The incumbent is to engage the Veteran and his/her support system in a therapeutic relationship to facilitate optimal level of functioning in a home care setting.

The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert in the area of medical dietetics.

The incumbent will possess effective communication skills and participate as an active member of the HBPC Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT).

The incumbent is assigned full-time to HBPC at the West Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System (WTVAHCS) with an association with N&FS.

The incumbent may be scheduled or assigned to any nutrition practice area. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Available. Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 99502S/99501S/99500S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized