Dietitian (Clinical)

Administration & Operations; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 54,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks a Clinical Dietitian for Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) to deliver nutrition care in patients’ homes within the Little Rock and Pine Bluff catchment area. The role requires use of NCP for assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation, with strong collaboration across HBPC/PACT teams.

Qualifications include RDN/RD credentialing with CDR, and eligibility to work in the U.S.; experience in geriatrics or home health is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher; foreign education evaluated per ACEND standards.
• Master's degree from regionally accredited university.
• Credentials: RDN or RD registered with CDR; non-credentialed path for GS-07/09 with temporary appointment.

Responsibilities

• Visits patients in home setting 75%+ time within catchment area.
• Provide nutrition care using the NCP framework (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, evaluation).
• Collaborate with HBPC/PACT teams and stakeholders to deliver patient-centered care.

Skills

NCP knowledge

Evidence-based nutrition

Patient-centered goals

Data for performance improvement

Collaboration with stakeholders

Regulatory requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

The clinical dietitian is responsible for all aspects of nutritional care to patients in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), Home Health Care Service (HHCS). The HBPC Clinical Dietitian primarily visits patients in the home-setting within the CAVHS catchment area 75% or more of the time, driving government cars to the patient's residence. The HBPC PACT teams covered by this position include Little Rock and Pine Bluff.

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 Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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 registration 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.
    • 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 registration exam.

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

All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment below.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07

Experience or Education.

None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), 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.

• (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

Experience.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• (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.

Preferred Experience: Experience in geriatrics, home health, and working with a interdisciplinary team.

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

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.