Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, IL, seeks a skilled Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to provide medical nutrition therapy across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You will autonomously apply evidence-based nutrition guidelines, coordinate nutritional care with Veterans, caregivers, and the care team, and support the nutrition care process to improve patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in dietetics or related field.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential required.
• Experience with NPC/NCP care processes preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide nutrition expertise for both inpatient and outpatient services.
• Apply evidence-based nutrition guidelines autonomously.
• Coordinate nutritional care with Veterans, caregivers, and the health-care team.
• Serve as the primary nutrition resource within the Clinical Section.

Skills

RDN credential

Evidence-based practice

NCP knowledge

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Dietetics or related field

Job description

This position is located in the Clinical Section of NFS at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. Employees in this assignment provide both inpatient and outpatient coverage, serving as the medical nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients and coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community.

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.
• 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. GS-09 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.

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

Demonstrated 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 NPC (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.

At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in kitchen areas where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment often cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. Performs work requiring light to moderate physical. May be required to perform heavy work, such as scouring and scrubbing large size cooking utensils and pushing heavy carts and trucks in unloading, storing, and delivering supplies. Subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others.