Clinical Dietitian

Veterans Health Administration; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to provide comprehensive nutrition care in alignment with the Nutrition Care Process. The role spans GS-7 to GS-11 levels with opportunities for professional growth and credentialing advancement.

You will deliver patient-centered nutrition care, apply evidence-based practices, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes within the VA system.

Qualifications

• Must be US citizen or eligible per VA policy.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or RD credential required.
• ACEND-accredited program and verification for CDR eligibility.
• Non-credentialed applicants may be eligible for temporary appointment with plan to obtain credential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Develop patient-centered nutrition goals.
• Collect data for performance improvement studies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary stakeholders.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

NCP patient care

Evidence-based practice

Data for improvement

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

RDN or RD credential

Bachelor's degree in dietetics or related

ACEND credential evaluation

ACEND supervised practice verification

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.
  • 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.
• Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements.
• 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-7: Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-9: In addition to the basic requirements, I have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

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 Experience

• At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade.

GS-11 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill in delivering patient care using the 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

• N/A

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 - 7 to GS - 11.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.