Dietitian (Clinical)

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

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an HBPC Clinical Dietitian to lead nutrition care for home-based patients in the Little Rock area. Position emphasizes developing and coordinating nutrition plans, screening and monitoring nutritional status, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.

Travel within the catchment area is required; not a virtual role. The role requires RDN/RD credentials (or eligibility), advanced knowledge of nutrition care processes, and the ability to document

Qualifications

• RDN/RD credential required; non-credentialed candidates may be considered for temporary appointments.
• Bachelor’s or higher degree from regionally accredited institution; ACEND standards apply for foreign education.
• Knowledge of NCP, evidence-based nutrition practices, and ability to develop patient-centered goals.

Responsibilities

• Serves as HBPC Clinical Dietitian, coordinating all nutrition care plans.
• Screen and assess nutritional status; define short and long-term goals.
• Delineate treatment modalities and education plans; monitor implementation.
• Document nutrition care in the medical record; adjust plans as needed.
• Identify high-risk patients requiring comprehensive nutritional assessment.
• Collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary team on care plans.

Skills

NCP knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Performance improvement data

Patient-centered goals

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Home health care delivery

Education

RDN/RD credential

Bachelor’s degree or higher

ACEND accreditation awareness

Master’s degree (GS-11)

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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 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
• 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
• 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
• 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 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
• 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.

Duties

• Duties of the Dietitian (Clinical) include - but are not limited to: Serves as the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Clinical Dietitian with primary responsibility for developing and coordinating all aspects of nutrition care plans - including screening and assessing of nutritional status of patients
• defining short and long term goals
• delineating treatment modalities and education plans
• establishing procedures for implementation of the nutrition care plan - on-going information gathering and evaluation
• Identifies high-risk patients who require comprehensive nutritional assessment and support
• Integrates a number of risk factors such as diabetes - hypertension - hyperlipidemia and obesity in developing on-going treatment plans
• Communicates monitors and verifies implementation of nutrition care plans
• documents all aspects of nutrition care in the medical record
• Evaluates the effects of intervention on individual patient nutritional status - and adjusts treatment and care as necessary
• Recommends changes in prescribed diet to the physician and multidisciplinary team
• Plans - organizes - implements and evaluates nutrition education for patients and/or caregivers concerning patient's nutritional plan and provides follow-up
• Incumbent is responsible for counseling and guiding the patient and/or caregiver to an understanding of the nutritional aspects of his care
• Modifies instructions with consideration of the patient and/or caregiver's level of comprehension - cultural background - socio-economic needs and other factors that may influence the patient's ability to follow nutritional care plans in the home
• Serves as an active member on interdisciplinary treatment teams
• Communicates pertinent information to health care professionals regarding individual patient nutritional care needs - and assists in the development of treatment plans
• Collects and assimilates laboratory - medical - and nutritional information for use by the multidisciplinary team
• Develops and implements short and long term goals related to efficient and effective nutrition care for the patients who often have complicated medical problems
• Completes necessary referrals to other agencies as required
• Plans and participates in the education of health care professionals and trainees regarding nutrition specialty
• Participates in CAVHS training programs for dietetic interns and/or technicians if indicated
• Participates in related professional activities
• uses research findings and current knowledge in nutritional sciences
• Interprets nutrition research and clinical studies relative to this specialty - and develops guidelines - protocols - and procedures that are selective to this nutrition specialty
• Participates in local - regional and national programs and workshops on nutrition care
• develops and participates in education programs
• Participates in the Quality Management Program to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services provided
• Participates in the peer review process for HHCS
• Relieves for other dietitians within HBPC as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06667F
• 06668F
• 06669F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized