Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia seeks a Clinical Dietitian to provide expert nutrition care for Veterans, applying evidence-based guidelines and whole-health principles.

You will perform comprehensive nutrition assessments, develop targeted medical nutrition therapy, and coordinate with the health care team to support optimal outcomes. In this role, you will use virtual care tools to expand access and maintain thorough documentation, contributing to continuous quality

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required per basic VA requirements.
• RDN/RD must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Current VA Dietitians may not be promoted under grandfathering provisions if they do not meet current RDN/RD requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk.
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and monitors outcomes.
• Coordinate nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, and caregivers.
• Interprets research and applies evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
• Leads activities in implementing new initiatives and ensures safe, quality care.

Skills

NCP-based patient care

Evidence-based practice

Patient-centered goals

Data-driven improvement

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Registered Dietitian (RDN/RD) – CDR registered

Job description

Summary

This position is open to current permanent employees of Department of Veterans Affairs and The Public.

Summary

This position is open to current permanent employees of Department of Veterans Affairs and The Public.

Qualifications

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)
• 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: Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-11: (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.(2) 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(3) Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position
• Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation) - assuring high-quality nutrition care
• They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient- centered goals and improve outcomes
• Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping - autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care
• They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS - lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders
• Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience - support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: ???????See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert
• They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs
• 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 Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction
• Duties include but are not limited to: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the 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 individual and groups that is tailored to 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 activities
• Uses date in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actions Complies with The Joint Commissions requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm - Occasional weekends/holidays Telework: Ad-hoc telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99529S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized