Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to plan, develop, and direct nutrition care for veterans with complex medical and nutritional needs.

The role collaborates with medical teams, patients, caregivers, and the community to support health outcomes. The Clinical Dietitian will apply evidence-based nutrition practices, interpret diagnostics, and develop patient-centered goals within the Nutrition Care Process framework.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required or as per VA policy
• English language proficiency required
• RDN or RD credential required (CDR)
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may qualify for a temporary appointment with conditions

Responsibilities

• Assess nutritional status and plan individualized care using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP)
• Coordinate nutrition care with multidisciplinary team, patients, caregivers and community partners
• Document nutrition care in medical records with accuracy and timeliness
• Provide nutrition counseling to patients and families and adjust plans as needed

Skills

RDN credential

English proficiency

NCP knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics or related field

Job description

Summary

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert. The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for planning - developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The Clinical Dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers - the veteran - the veteran's caregiver and the community.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• 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: Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-07
• Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry level developmental position within the Clinical Section of NFS
• They perform increasingly complex tasks as they acquire skills in clinical nutrition to apply evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines
• Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver and the community
• Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research - apply whole health principles and develop patient centered goals
• They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction
• Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-09
• Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR Education
• Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• And 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
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• AND 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Protocols will be followed per the VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• This position requires a medical evaluation
• These evaluations include a health history - occupational history - immunization history and tuberculosis screening
• These evaluations are completed in health care facilities not to determine suitability but rather to meet Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Joint Commission standards.

Duties

• 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 4 months of appointment
• Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application
• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
• Major Duties: Independently responsible for all phases of assessment - planning - intervention education and evaluation using the Nutrition care process (NCP)
• Assesses nutritional status - reviews and interprets pertinent diagnostic and treatment data - and develops implements - and monitors the nutritional care plan
• Reviews and calculates modified diets to meet the special dietary needs of those patients requiring nutritional intervention
• In the medical records - will accurately document the nutritional status - nutrient intake - nutritional education - and other pertinent data
• Recognized as the nutrition expert and participates as part of the Interdisciplinary treatment team within each outpatient clinic and inpatient clinic when needed
• Assesses educational need of mainly outpatient population - with inpatient coverage as part of the weekend rotation
• Provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups and schedules both new and follow-up clinical outpatient visits
• Work Schedule: Monday - Fridays 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Rotating Weekends and Holidays Telework: ADHOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99529-S - PD99530-S - and PD99531-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NOT AUTHORIZED EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): NOT AUTHORIZED PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): NOT AUTHORIZED