Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

The Salisbury VA Medical Center in North Carolina seeks a part-time Clinical Dietitian (RDN/RD) to provide comprehensive nutrition care for Veterans, with a focus on evidence-based MNT and patient-centered goals. You will coordinate with physicians, nurses, caregivers, and Food Operations to improve outcomes and dining satisfaction.

Responsibilities include NCP assessments, ADIME documentation, and utilization of virtual care when appropriate. Requires RDN/RD credentials and relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) or registered dietitian (RD) with current credentialing.
• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens allowed only as per VA policy.
• At least one year of RDN equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated KSAs: NCP-based patient care, research interpretation, patient-centered goals, data analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and regulatory compliance.
• Assignment: Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level; duties include documentation and performance improvement.

Responsibilities

• Primary mix of inpatient and outpatient care.
• Coordinate nutritional care with Veterans, caregivers, and health care team.
• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using NCP; establish diagnosis and malnutrition risk.
• Develop and monitor Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address diagnoses.
• Document MNT in ADIME format and maintain accurate records.
• Collaborate with Food Operations to enhance dining experience and patient satisfaction.

Skills

NCP

ADIME

MNT

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based practice

Education

RDN or RD

Job description

Summary

This position is located in Nutrition and Food Service at the Salisbury VA Medical Center - NC. 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.

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: 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: (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 authorities
• 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level - or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education - or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - 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.

Duties

• Primary assignment includes mix of inpatient and outpatient care
• 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 - collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience
• 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 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: Part-time - Tuesday and Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm and Saturday 7:30am-11:30am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99529S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized