Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Saint Augustine (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Clinical Dietitians to coordinate nutrition care for Veterans, including assessment, diagnosis, and intervention using the NCP.

You will develop and monitor Medical Nutrition Therapy plans tailored to individual patients and collaborate with the care team to improve outcomes. The role requires delivering patient-centered care, documenting accurately, and utilizing telehealth when appropriate to improve access.

Qualifications

• Must hold RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• English language proficiency
• GS-11 level experience or equivalent preferred

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process to establish a nutrition diagnosis
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy to address nutrition diagnoses
• Calculates nutrient requirements and tailors diet prescriptions
• Documents MNT in the medical record per ADIME format
• Leads interprofessional collaboration and participates in team meetings
• Provides nutrition education/counseling to Veterans and families
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Ensures quality and safe care per accrediting standards
• Coordinates with Food Operations to enhance dining experience for Veterans

Skills

English proficiency

Education

RDN credential (CDR)

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.

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
• Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• English Language Proficiency
• Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment
• 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
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• 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
• GS-11 Experience
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of clinical experience - including both inpatient and outpatient Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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.

Duties

• 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 interventionsModifies 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
• Assess 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
• 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 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 99529S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized