Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dublin (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP program

Ad-hoc telework

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Clinical Dietitian to conduct nutrition assessments, develop and monitor Medical Nutrition Therapy, and document care using the Nutrition Care Process.

The role emphasizes evidence-based practice, collaboration with food service operations, and leveraging virtual care to improve access to nutrition care for Veterans. The position supports a full-time Dietitian (Clinical) role with potential for telework, focusing on quality of care and patient outcomes

Qualifications

• Must be registered dietitian (RDN/RD) with CDR.
• English proficiency required for healthcare communication.
• U.S. citizenship or eligibility for federal appointment as per VA policy.
• Foreign degree transcripts must be evaluated to US standards.
• Current VHA Dietitians must meet current RDN/RD requirements or grandfathering provisions.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP (ADIME).
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and monitors outcomes.
• Documents nutrition care and maintains daily clinical records.
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Collaborates with Food Operations and leadership to enhance Veterans’ dining experience.
• Performs duties in a full-time Dietitian (Clinical) role with appropriate supervision.

Skills

NCP clinical care

Evidence-based practice

Patient goals development

Data for performance

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master's degree in Nutrition

US transcript evaluation

Tools

Computrition

Electronic health records

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.

Qualifications

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
• English Proficiency: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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)
• Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States
• Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of didactic program - dietetic internship - or coordinated program requirements
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determination: GS-11: 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: (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
• Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position
• Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation) - assuring high-quality nutrition care
• They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes
• Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping - autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safety and quality care
• They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS - lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders
• Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience - support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section
• 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
• 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
• Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position
• They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision
• Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP
• They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes
• Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives
• Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section
• GS-07: Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position
• They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above - performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion
• Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines
• Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research - apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals
• They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction
• Physical Requirements: The work primarily is sedentary
• Some work may require periods of walking - standing - and bending in offices - hospitals - and other work areas
• Frequently carry light items such as books - education material and other similar materials
• The work does not require any special physical effort
• 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-07 to GS-11.

Duties

• Functions of the Clinical Dietitian - 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
• This is a full-time position with a Mental Health focus
• The mental health RD will collaborate with a team to provide nutrition programming and care for our inpatient residential rehabilitation programs located routine maintenance of our food service software (Computrition) and occasional coverage on the weekends or holidays of an acute care unit
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm
• Occasional Weekend Coverage as well Telework: Ad-hoc Telework is available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59578F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more