Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Dietitian (Clinical) to provide expert medical nutrition care in the Nutrition and Food Services section. You will conduct assessments using the NCP, develop patient-centered goals, and coordinate with Veterans, families, and healthcare teams to ensure high-quality outcomes.

This full-time role requires RDN credential, the ability to work independently, and proficiency with virtual care tools to expand access and improve care efficiency.

Qualifications

• RDN credential from CDR required; U.S. citizenship or eligible per VA policy.
• Master's degree may qualify for higher GS levels; certification credentials emphasized.

Responsibilities

• Apply evidence-based nutrition guidelines for all patients.

Skills

NCP and care coordination

Evidence-based practice

Data analysis

Virtual care

Regulatory knowledge

Collaboration

Education

RDN credential (CDR)

Master's degree (GS-9/11)

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. 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

• a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• b. Registration
  • (1) 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.
  • (2) Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential.
    • (a) Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
    • (i) Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following:
    • (A) Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below).
    • (B) 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.
  • ii. 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.
  • (b) Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.
  • (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level.
  • (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • (e) Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment.

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 Determinations

Dietitian (Clinical) GS-7

(1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical) GS-9

(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR

(2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.

(3) 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.

(4). 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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11

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

(2) 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) Skill in complying with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

(3) 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 safe 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.

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-7 to GS-11

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.