Clinical Dietitian

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dietitian (Clinical) to provide comprehensive nutrition care under the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) and to develop Medical Nutrition Therapy plans for Veterans.

The role includes evaluating nutritional needs, delivering evidence-based care, and collaborating with health teams. Telework is available on an ad-hoc basis; ensure compliance with VA guidelines and accreditation standards for high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or RD with CDR credentialing is required.
• For non-credentialed applicants, development track and eventual credential must be pursued.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalency when applicable.
• ACEND accredited programs and supervised practice are required for eligibility.
• Position may start at GS-07 or GS-09 with advancement upon credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP to establish diagnoses and determine malnutrition risk.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and monitor outcomes.
• Record patient data accurately and communicate with the health care team.
• Provide nutrition education and counseling tailored to Veterans.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and leadership to improve dining services and patient satisfaction.
• Work at the Clinical Dietitian level with increasing responsibility.

Skills

Nutrition care

NCP process

Evidence-based practice

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics

RDN/RD credential preferred

Tools

NCP software

Electronic health records

Job description

Summary

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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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
• 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
• 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
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Preferred Experience: N/A Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position
• For more information - refer to Required Documents below
• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) - including nutrition focused physical examinations - to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions
• Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Functions independently and accurately when record keeping.- Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
• Complies with the Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient area Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations section
• GS-07 Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position
• They work 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 Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position
• They perform 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
• GS-11 Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position
• Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation) - assuring high-quality nutrition care
• They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient- centered goals and improve outcomes
• Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping - autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care
• Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience - support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available - AD-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99531S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized