Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Topeka, KS seeks a Dietitian (Clinical) to independently plan, develop, and direct nutritional care for Veterans with complex medical needs.

The role involves nutrition assessment, MNT and care planning, under supervision while advancing toward higher responsibilities. The candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team to enhance patient outcomes, support Joint Commission standards, and utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care.

Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or RD with CDR credential
• Non-credentialed dietitians may be appointed full-time temporarily if criteria are met
• Must obtain RDN credential; may be placed at GS-07/GS-09
• ACEND accreditation requirements must be met for foreign education
• Clinical dietitians assess, plan, implement and evaluate nutrition care using NCP
• Work with Food Operations to support patient dining experience and satisfaction

Responsibilities

• Conduct nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
• Document care plans and patient encounters in the medical record
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive care
• Schedule management to maximize access to nutrition services (in-person and virtual)
• Lead performance improvement initiatives and ensure quality care

Skills

NCP nutrition care

MNT planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Virtual care technology

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

ACEND-accredited program/verification

Master's degree (GS-09)

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Topeka - KS (VISN 15). The Dietitian is responsible for independently planning - developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Qualifications

• 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: 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- 8 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.

Duties

• Nutritional Care: - Conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP)
• This includes performing nutrition-focused physical examinations to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine the risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• - Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis
• Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of MNT interventions - modifying the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• - Document MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) format
• - Calculate nutrient requirements and identify necessary diet restrictions - including food and drug interactions
• - Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support - ensuring clear communication with the healthcare team
• - Actively participate in both formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
• Complete care plans and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments within established timeframes
• - Assess educational needs and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling for individuals and groups - focusing on Veterans' specific requirements
• - Maintain productivity standards and keep accurate records of daily clinical activities - completing patient encounters using approved systems
• - Manage clinic schedules to maximize access to nutrition services - ensuring both virtual and in-person options are available to meet patient needs
• - Participate in service-level strategic planning and the implementation of new initiatives - policies - procedures - and goals
• - Support service-level performance improvement activities by developing measures - collecting data - evaluating data - and initiating corrective actions
• - Comply with Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• - Utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
• - Ensure the continuous improvement of safe and quality care for Veterans
• - Lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives - using data for measure development - data evaluation - and the initiation of corrective actions
• - Collaborate with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the dining experience for Veterans - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section
• - Perform other related duties as assigned that are appropriate for this grade and assignment
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99529S - PD99530S - and PD99531S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for Highly Qualified Applicants