Dietitian - Clinical

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Altoona (PA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligible

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Altoona, PA is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to provide nutrition care in the outpatient setting. The role emphasizes the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) with ADIME documentation.

The incumbent will use virtual care tools, participate in interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to performance improvement through data analysis. This position follows standard schedules with no telework option.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or RD and be eligible to sit for the CDR credential.
• Non-credentialed dietitians may be considered for temporary appointment if they meet basic requirements while pursuing credential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate nutritional care with health care providers, the patient, and caregiver.
• Interpret research and apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Provide nutrition care in the outpatient setting.
• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and monitor outcomes.
• Document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format.
• Utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Lead initiatives and use data for performance improvement studies.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and leadership to enhance Veterans' dining experience and patient satisfaction.

Skills

NCP knowledge

MNT implementation

ADIME documentation

Virtual care technology

Data for performance improvement

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher from regionally accredited college/university (US) or foreign equivalent

RDN/RD credential (CDR)

ACEND accreditation and supervised practice verification

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

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
• 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
• 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 (Clinical) - GS-07
• Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-09
• Experience
• 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 Education
• A master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• 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
• Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-11
• Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-11 must possess at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9)
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient nutrition experience is preferred - but not required
• 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.

Duties

• The Clinical Dietitian coordinates nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community
• The incumbent interprets research and utilizes whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes
• This position provides nutrition care in the outpatient setting
• Major Duties Include but are not limited to: 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 interventionsModifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) format
• 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
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Leads activities in the Implementation of new initiatives
• Uses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actions
• Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD03451F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized