Dietitian (Clinical)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Garland (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Garland, TX seeks Clinical Dietitians to coordinate nutritional care with Veterans, caregivers, and the health team, using whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

You will interpret research and apply evidence-based nutrition practices while collaborating with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or RD credential and CDR registration.
• Experience with NCP and delivering patient care per evidence-based nutrition practices.
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals and monitor outcomes.
• Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements impacting Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders to improve patient care and dining experiences.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate nutritional care with Veterans, the Veteran's caregiver, and health care providers.
• Interpret research and apply whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction.

Skills

NCP knowledge

Evidence-based nutrition

Patient-centered goals

Data for performance

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.

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).
• Exception for GS-07 and 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-07 or 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.

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

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.

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

• Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11: Experience.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with nutrition support.
• Experience in the outpatient clinical setting.
• Experience working with inspectors of accrediting agencies i.e. Joint Commission, LTCI, CARF, OIG

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:

The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.