Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Presque Isle (ME); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Part time

Job summary

The VA Maine Healthcare System in Presque Isle, ME, seeks a part-time Dietitian (Clinical) to join Home Based Primary Care in Geriatrics and Extended Care. The role supports nutrition care for Veterans in a home-based setting with a 20‑hour work week.

Responsibilities include nutrition assessments, MNT planning, ADIME documentation, and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. Telehealth capability and a focus on high-quality Veteran care are emphasized.

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with CDR
• U.S. citizenship per VA requirements
• ACEND accreditation and supervised practice verification necessary for non‑credentialed candidates
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may be eligible for a full-time temporary appointment up to one year
• GS-07/09/11 pathways require credentialing and progress toward RDN credential
• Experience/education should demonstrate KSAs including knowledge of accrediting standards, NCP, evidence-based practice, and data-driven improvement

Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and ADIME format
• Develop and monitor Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans and evaluate outcomes
• Tailor diet prescriptions for individual patients including nutrient needs and interactions
• Document clinical care accurately in medical records
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and participate in team meetings
• Provide nutrition education to patients and groups, including via virtual care
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and performance improvement initiatives

Skills

NCP Knowledge

Virtual care

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Data for performance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics

ACEND accredited program

Tools

Nutrition care software

Telehealth platforms

Job description

Summary

This Dietitian (Clinical) position is in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) within the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service at the VA Manie Healthcare Systems located at the Presque Isle - ME location. The position is Part-time at 20 hours per week.

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)
• 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: GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical) (Entry Level Developmental): No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements
• GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical) (Developmental): Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field
• Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience 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
• GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level): Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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
• Preferred Experience: 1 year or more of geriatric experience preferred
• Must be able to practice independently - but as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 for pre-placement examination requirements.

Duties

• Duties may 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 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
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment
• Work Schedule: Tuesday 8:00am - 4:30pm - Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm - Thursday 8:00am - 12:00pm Telework: May be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F05564 - F05565 - F05566 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTIFICATIONS: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay
• Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized
• This position is in the Excepted Service
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure - and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's