Dietitian (Clinical)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Durham VA Health Care System in Durham, NC is seeking a Dietitian (Clinical) to plan, develop and direct nutrition care for Veterans, including those with complex medical needs. The position supports outpatient nutrition services and interdisciplinary teams.

Candidates must have the RDN credential and meet VA qualification standards; GA-09/11 levels may apply with credentialing and education requirements, with appointment pending these criteria.

Qualifications

• US citizenship or eligible for federal employment.
• RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• ACEND supervised practice/experience or equivalent required for credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and direct nutrition care activities for Veterans.
• Deliver nutrition care in outpatient and inpatient settings as applicable.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Virtual nutrition care

Evidence-based practice

Patient goal setting

Data for improvement

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

RDN credential

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

The Durham VA is recruiting for one (1) Dietitian (Clinical) in Durham, NC. The Dietitian (Clinical) is the medical nutrition expert responsible for planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. This position will contribute to multiple areas of the department including, but not limited to, outpatient nutrition services.

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.
• All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
  • 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-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.

Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09. (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07). OR (2) 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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11. (1) 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 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. 7
• (f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• (g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

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: Inpatient/Long Term

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

Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019