Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration; Town of Bath (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dietitian GS-11 is assigned to the Clinical Section of NFS, Bath VAMC, serving as the medical nutrition expert. The Dietitian works autonomously in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Candidates must be an RDN and eligible for VA employment; duties include comprehensive nutrition assessments, developing patient-centered goals, and coordinating care with clinical and food service teams to improve

Qualifications

• Must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Bachelor's degree or higher required per CDR education requirements.
• Basic knowledge of Nutrition Care Process (NCP).

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using NCP.
• Develop patient-centered nutrition goals and care plans.
• Monitor and evaluate patient outcomes to ensure quality care.
• Collaborate with food service and clinical teams; utilize virtual care when appropriate.

Skills

NCP patient care

Evidence-based practice

Patient-centered goals

Data analysis for performance

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics

Job description

The Dietitian GS-11 is assigned to the Clinical Section of NFS, Bath VAMC, serving as the medical nutrition expert. The Dietitian works autonomously in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

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. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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.

All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment.

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

(1) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be comparable to dietetic experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

f. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a registered Dietitian is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a registered Dietitian employed 20 hours per week, or on a half-time basis, would receive 1 full-time work week of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

g. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).

h. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian. RDN and Registered Dietitian (RD) credentials are the same and both are qualifying. The difference between RDN and RD is in name only due to a change by the professional academy in 2014. In this standard, the term RDN will be used.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.