Dietitian-HBPC Clinical

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (HBPC Dietitian) provides Home Based Primary Care nutrition services in a developmental clinical role. The incumbent develops clinical nutrition skills, applies evidence-based guidelines, and supports patient care in a growing scope within the Clinical Section of NFS.

Role includes adherence to basic requirements, potential GS-07/09 temporary appointments for non-credentialed individuals, and progression through GS-11 with required KSAs and experience.

Qualifications

• RDN or RD credential required; non-credentialed path allowed at GS-07/09 with temp appointment up to 1 year
• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens allowed only per VA policy

Responsibilities

• Provide Home Based Primary Care nutrition care and apply evidence-based nutrition guidelines.
• Develop and implement patient care plans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP).

Skills

Delivering patient care using the NCP

Interpreting research for evidence

Developing patient-centered goals

Analyzing data for performance

Collaborating with stakeholders

Compliance with accrediting/regulatory

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Master's degree

Job description

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) role performing Home Based Primary Car (HBPC) services and are in a developmental position within the Clinical Section of NFS. They perform increasingly complex tasks as they continue to develop skills in clinical nutrition to apply evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines.

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

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07

• Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09

• (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
  • (b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
  • (c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
  • (d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
  • (e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
  • (f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
  • (g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11

• (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

Preferred Experience

Home care, Geriatrics

Reference

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

Physical Requirements

Refer to VA Handbook 5019 for pre-placement examination requirements. Dietitian (Clinical) providing HBPC must possess a current, valid, and unrestricted drivers license in order to operate a government owned vehicle.