Dietitian (Clinical) - (Intermittent)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Dietitian in the Providence, Rhode Island VA Medical Center. The position is intermittent with no set hours, supporting nutrition care within the Nutrition and Food Service team.

The role aligns with GS-07 to GS-11 levels, requiring RDN/RD credentials or approved grandfathering provisions, and emphasizes evidence-based care and interprofessional collaboration to optimize patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• RDN or RD credential registered with CDR.
• US citizenship required; non-citizens per VA policy.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from regionally accredited college (or foreign equivalent).
• For GS-07/GS-09, non-credentialed dietitians may be appointed temporarily if requirements met.
• GS-11 requires at least 1 year of RDN experience or master's degree; KSAs listed.

Skills

NCP knowledge

Evidence-based practices

Patient-centered goals

Performance data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Virtual care technology

Education

Master's degree in dietetics

ACEND-accredited supervised practice

Tools

ACEND programs directory

Job description

This Clinical Dietitian position is in Nutrition and Food service, located at the Providence, Rhode Island VA Medical Center. This position is intermittent with no set hours.

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 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

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, candidates must also meet the below grade requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07

Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-9

Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11

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

And
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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

Intermittent RD experience preferred.

Reference

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

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