Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a Clinical Dietitian to coordinate nutrition care for Veterans across inpatient units, including ICU and rehabilitation, with cross-coverage for SCI, general medicine and mental health. The role emphasizes evidence-based MNT and collaboration with the care team.

Applicants must meet citizenship and credentialing requirements and may qualify at GS-07 to GS-11 levels; experience with ADIME, MNT, and IDT rounds is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• English language proficiency: able to communicate effectively in English (spoken and written).
• Experience with medical nutrition therapy and clinical nutrition care in inpatient settings is preferred.
• Knowledge of NCP, MNT, and IDT involvement across units such as ICU, medical, surgical, and rehab.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical nutrition therapy to inpatients on surgical and rehabilitation units.
• Coordinate nutrition care with the care team, Veteran, caregiver, and community.
• Engage in interdisciplinary rounds and IDT coordination for patient-centered goals.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

ADIME

NCP (Nutrition Care Process)

Data analysis

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics or equivalent

Master's degree in Nutrition (preferred)

Job description

Clinical Dietitians coordinate the nutritional care of Veterans in collaboration with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. This position provides medical nutrition therapy to inpatients on surgical and rehabilitation units, with cross coverage of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), General Medicine, Mental Health, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Domiciliary units.

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. Registration: 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:

• (a) Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
• (b) 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.
• (c) 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.
• (d) A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-7 OR Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• (b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• (c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• (d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• (e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
• (f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• (g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-9. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• (b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• (c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
• (d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
• (e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• (f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

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). Preferred experience: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, and Evaluation (ADIME), Motivational interviewing, Nutrition Support (enteral and parental), Interdisciplinary Team rounds (IDT). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20. 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 Require