Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Dietitian (Clinical) to serve in the Clinical Section of NFS, applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines and coordinating care for Veterans with complex needs.

The role emphasizes autonomous nutrition care, collaboration with the Veteran, caregiver, and health team, and use of virtual care technology to improve access and outcomes within a Whole Health System.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required
• RDN/Registered Dietitian credential
• English language proficiency
• Experience at GS-9/GS-11 level KSAs
• Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual technology to provide nutrition care
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, evaluation)
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals and collect data for performance improvement

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) including nutrition-focused physical examinations to establish a diagnosis and malnutrition risk
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis and monitors outcomes
• Modifies the plan to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Documents MNT in the medical record using ADIME format
• Works independently with accurate record keeping
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and communicates with health care team
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and provides nutrition education/counseling
• Uses virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Maintains productivity and adheres to safety and quality standards
• Leads initiatives and uses data to inform corrective actions
• Collaborates with Food Operations to enhance Veterans' dining experience and patient satisfaction

Skills

Evidence-based nutrition

NCP knowledge

Patient care experience

Virtual care knowledge

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's degree in dietetics or related field

RDN credential

Job description

Summary

Dietitian (Clinical) Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) 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.

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)
• English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience: 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
• GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) Experience: 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• Driving physical required.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• 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 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: Intermittent
• 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - as needed
• An intermittent work schedule is employment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99500S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized