Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care for Veterans alongside the Veteran, their caregiver, and the health care team. They interpret research and apply whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance dining experiences and ensure patient satisfaction. These roles emphasize evidence-based practice, patient education, and use of virtual care to expand access

Qualifications

• United States citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed per VA policy.
• English language proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C.
• Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as RDN or RD.
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may be appointed at GS-07/GS-09 with conditions.
• Must have a US bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• ACEND accreditation and verification required for credential eligibility.
• Current VHA Dietitians may be grandfathered per policy; KSAs must be shown in resume.
• KSAs: knowledge of regulatory requirements, NCP-based care, evidence-based practice, patient-centered goals, data for performance improvement, stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP to determine malnutrition risk and diagnosis.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and monitor effectiveness.
• Modify care plans to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and tailor diets accordingly.
• Document MNT in the medical record using ADIME format.
• Work independently with accurate record-keeping during patient encounters.
• Identify patients needing nutrition support and coordinate with health care teams.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and education efforts.
• Provide nutrition education/counseling to Veterans and groups.
• Utilize virtual care to improve access to care and maintain productivity.
• Adhere to safety and quality standards; ensure Joint Commission compliance.

Skills

NCP-based patient care

Data analysis for performance

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based nutrition practices

Virtual care technology

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics or related field

ACEND-accredited program verification

RDN/RD credential or eligible

Job description

Summary

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.

Summary

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.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level)
• GS-07: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: (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
• GS-11: Experience: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: (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: None 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 include but are not limited: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using Nutritional Care Process (NCP) - including nutrition focused physical examinations - to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions
• Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) format
• Functions independently and accurately when record keeping
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Maintains productivity standards Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems
• Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans
• Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives
• Uses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actions
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
• subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD995502S / 99501S / 99500S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized