Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dietitian-Advanced Level Practice Diabetes at the US Department of Veterans Affairs leads dietitians and nutrition teams to plan, implement, and evaluate organizational nutrition initiatives, using NCP for comprehensive veteran care. It requires advanced qualifications and certification in diabetes care.

The role emphasizes serving Veterans with advanced practice nutrition, leadership in policy development, and guiding research or quality improvement projects to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• US citizen (or eligible per VA policy)
• RDN or RD registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Advanced practice certification in diabetes care/education (e.g., BC-ADM or CDCES)
• Proficiency in spoken and written English (38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) requirements)

Skills

Team leadership

Evidence-based practice

Policy development

Staff development

Communication to health care providers

Job description

The Dietitian-Advanced Level Practice Diabetes is the subject matter experts in advanced clinical nutrition and uses knowledge, expertise, principles and/or current research to lead dietitians and nutrition specialty care teams to plan, implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives. They conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) assuring high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice.

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).
• Certification: Must hold an advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or the National Board of Nutrition Certification. The certification must be directly related to the assignment being filled. For example, where the assignment requires diabetes management, a Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certification is qualifying.
• English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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-12 Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice)

Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11. AND Certification: Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certification is qualifying. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience and certification above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities.
2. Skill in utilizing evidence-based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes.
3. Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures.
4. Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development.
5. Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies.
6. Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care.

Preferred Experience

Will be required to hold certification for a CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) or BC-ADM

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements

The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.