Dietitian (Clinical)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Shavano Park (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Dietitian in the Clinical Section of Nutrition & Food Service to deliver outpatient medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education. The dietitian will work autonomously, applying evidence-based practice to diverse Veterans with complex medical needs.

In this role, you will coordinate nutrition care with other health care providers, the Veteran, and caregiver, ensuring patient-centered goals and data-driven care through the Nutrition Care Process.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) per CDR.
• Proficient in English (written and spoken).
• Experience applying the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to patient care.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education to Veterans.
• Coordinate nutritional care with other health care providers, Veterans, and caregivers.

Skills

RDN/RD credential

English proficiency

NCP knowledge

Autonomous practice

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics or RD-related field

Master’s degree in Nutrition or related field

Job description

This position serves as a Dietitian within the Clinical Section of Nutrition & Food Service, providing outpatient medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education and serving as the nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practices 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 and the Veteran's caregiver.

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 registration 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.
      • English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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

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:
  1. Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
  2. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
  3. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
  4. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
  5. Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
  6. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
  7. 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:
  1. Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
  2. Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
  3. Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
  4. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
  5. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
  6. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience

• 1-3 years' experience as clinical dietitian.
• 1-3 years' experience using the Nutrition Care Process model.
• Experience working in team setting.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.