Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Philadelphia (MS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Advanced Level Practice Dietitian to conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments under an advanced scope of practice.

You will lead dietitian teams, develop policies, and implement organizational nutrition initiatives. The role emphasizes leadership, use of evidence-based guidelines, and the ability to present complex nutrition information to health care providers to influence care decisions.

Qualifications

• One year of experience at the next lower grade level.
• Must be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) certified by the CDR.
• English language proficiency as per policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dietitian team in implementing nutrition-related activities.
• Develop and apply evidence-based guidelines to improve patient outcomes.
• Communicate in writing to develop policies and SOPs.
• Provide expert nutrition guidance and staff development.
• Lead research or performance improvement studies.
• Present complex nutrition information to health care teams to influence care.

Skills

Team leadership

Evidence-based practice

Policy writing

Nutrition expert

Public speaking

Education

RDN/RD credential

Job description

The Advanced Level Practice Dietitian 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. Advanced Level Practice Dietitians are 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.

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).
• 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

Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice), GS-12.

(1) Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(2) 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. Commonly held certifications include Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition; Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist-Advanced Practitioner; Certified Nutrition Support Clinician.

(3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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

Preferred Experience:

Applicants who hold the Board Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential. The CNSC demonstrates advanced expertise in enteral (tube feeding) and parenteral (intravenous) nutrition support.

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.