Dietitian (Clinical)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian to independently plan, implement, and oversee nutritional care for veterans, including those with complex medical needs. You will collaborate with healthcare professionals, veterans, caregivers, and the community to coordinate comprehensive nutrition services.

Qualified candidates must be registered dietitians (RDN/RD) and meet VA qualification standards; ACEND credentialing and supervised practice verification are

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens by exception only where allowed by VA policy.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing.
• RDN/RD credential required; CDR registered; ACEND prerequisites verified.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and oversee nutritional care activities for assigned veterans.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals, veterans, caregivers, and community resources to coordinate care.

Skills

NCP knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Interprofessional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Dietetics

Job description

Nutrition and Food Service is hiring an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian. The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for independently planning, implementing, and overseeing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional requirements. The Clinical Dietitian supports the facility's mission and collaborates with other healthcare professionals, veterans, their caregivers, and the community to coordinate comprehensive nutritional care. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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:Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

GS-7 Dietitian (Clinical): None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) related to the position being filled; OR posses a Master's Degree from a regionally accredited university or college.In addition, applicants 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.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) related to the position being filled.

In addition, applicants 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.

Preferred Experience:

Experience as a Clinical Dietitian preferred but recent dietetic internship graduates will also be considered.

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.