Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to provide expert nutritional care to Veterans. The position involves conducting comprehensive assessments, developing tailored nutrition plans, and collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure quality care. The ideal candidate will be a registered dietitian with significant experience in nutritional therapy and patient education.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Skills in nutrition assessment, intervention, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments and develops Medical Nutrition Therapy.
• Coordinates nutritional care with healthcare providers and Veterans.
• Delivers nutrition education and counseling tailored to Veterans.

Skills

Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP

Skill in interpreting research for evidence-based practices

Skill in developing patient-centered goals

Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement

Skill in collaborating with stakeholders

Education

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD)

Job description

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community.


Duties

- 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 interventions. Modifies 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.
- Maintains productivity standards.
- Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
- Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans.
- Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Uses data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
- Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
- 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.
- May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.


Work Schedule: 7:30am -4:00pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD99529S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications
Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)

• 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).

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:

Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.

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: 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.