Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Puget Sound in Seattle, WA is recruiting a full-time Clinical Dietitian to provide nutrition care for Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and the Primary Care Clinic (PACT). The role includes telehealth nutrition support, coordination with Veterans, caregivers, and the community, and collaboration with the food service team.

The position emphasizes evidence-based practice, NCP-driven assessments, and care coordination to improve outcomes and access to nutrition care within VA's Whole Health

Qualifications

• Must be an RDN or RD and registered with the CDR.
• Experience at the GS-07/GS-09 level with potential for progression.
• Knowledge of Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Whole Health Principles.

Responsibilities

• Conducts nutrition assessments using the NCP for assigned Veterans.
• Develops and implements medical nutrition therapy plans.
• Performs NFPE as part of assessments.
• Orders labs and monitoring as appropriate.
• Uses virtual care technology for nutrition care (e.g., VA Video Connect).
• Collaborates with food service to enhance patient dining experiences.

Skills

RDN Credential

NCP Knowledge

Virtual Care

Nutrition Assessment

Care Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics

Master's degree

Job description

Summary

VA Puget Sound is recruiting for a full-time Clinical Dietitian in Seattle - Washington. The role serves as the nutrition expert for HBPC and PACT. The HBPC Dietitian provides evidence-based care for Veterans with complex needs at home. The PACT Dietitian offers telehealth nutrition support in primary care and coordinates care with providers - Veterans - caregivers - and the community.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 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: Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-07 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position
• They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above - performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion
• Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines
• Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research - apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals
• They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction
• Dietitian (Clinical) - 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 Assignment
• Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position
• They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision
• Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP
• They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes
• Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems
• Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives
• Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section
• Dietitian (Clinical) - 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
• 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
• DRIVING REQUIREMENT: To qualify as an incidental operator - an employee must possess a valid State license - have a safe driving record - pass a road test - and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely
• Must have an unrestricted State Driver's License Must be cleared (upon hire) by Occupational Health to drive a government vehicle Driver's License - A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• The clinical dietitian will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) directives - policies and procedures - and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics
• This position will serve Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and the Primary Care Clinic (PACT)
• Nutritional Care: Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Calculates nutrient requirements (calories - protein - carbohydrates - lipids - vitamins - electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet modifications or food/drug interactions
• Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems
• Tailors nutrition therapy to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs
• With an understanding of the patient's health condition - designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial - behavioral - physical activity - ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutrition care plan
• Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health - recovery from illness - management of chronic disease or disease prevention
• Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem
• Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals - assisting in implementation of new initiatives - and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section - as applicable
• Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions as applicable
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support - including suitable route - formula - and rate of administration
• Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessment of patients receiving enteral (EN) and/or Parenteral nutrition (PN)
• Orders labs - diets - and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges
• Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions
• Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified - measurable outcomes and reviews the plan - as appropriate
• Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record - including nutrition assessment data - MNT initiated and recommendations - results of nutrition counseling - patient consents and discharge planning
• Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care: Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups - incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural - religious - educational and medical situation of the patient
• Includes information regarding budgeting - menu planning - food purchasing and preparation - food storage and sanitation
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family
• Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding - which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions
• Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization
• Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (VVC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care
• Provides follow-up nutrition education/counseling in accordance with the patient's treatment goals and determines when a problem requires consultation or referral to another provider or service
• Participates in planning and education of home nutrition support
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Flexible Hours Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized