Dietitian (Clinical)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Mishawaka, IN seeks a full-time Clinical Dietitian to serve as the medical nutrition expert, applying evidence-based guidelines for patients with complex needs and coordinating with providers, Veterans, caregivers, and the community.

This role uses research and whole-health principles to improve outcomes and collaborates with Food Operations to enhance the dining experience. Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date.

Qualifications

• Citizenship in the United States.
• RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• English language proficiency.
• Grandfathering provisions for certain VHA employees.

Responsibilities

• Apply evidence-based guidelines for nutrition care in complex patients.
• Coordinate care with providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community partners.
• Collaborate with Food Operations to enhance the dining experience.
• Utilize whole-health principles and research to improve outcomes.

Skills

Knowledge of accrediting and regulat

Knowledge of virtual technology

NCP patient care skills

Evidence-based nutrition practices

Patient-centered goals

Performance improvement data

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher (US regionally accredited)

ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice

Job description

A full-performance Clinical Dietitian serves as the medical nutrition expert, working independently to apply evidence-based guidelines for patients with complex needs. They coordinate care with providers, Veterans, caregivers, and the community, use research and whole-health principles to improve outcomes, and collaborate with Food Operations to enhance the dining experience. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/28/2026.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

1. United States Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

2. Registration. All applicants must hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Exceptions: 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) and must have fulfilled each of the following

• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent.
• 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

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.

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.

3. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

4. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement effective October 14, 2022, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable.

GRADE DETERMINATION GS-7

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GRADE DETERMINATION GS-9

Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or Master’s degree, from a regionally accredited university or college, that is related to nutrition.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 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.

GRADE DETERMINATION GS-11

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 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.

Reference:

VA Handbook 5005/154, Part II Appendix G20, Dietitian, Qualification Standard dated October 14, 2022. please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

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.