Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary A full-performance Clinical Dietitian serves as the medical nutrition expert - working independently to apply evidence-based guidelines for patients with complex needs. They coordinate care with providers - Veterans - caregivers - and the community - use research and whole-health principles to improve outcomes - and collaborate with Food Operations to enhance the dining experience. Qualifications To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/28/2026 Basic Requirements 1United States CitizenshipBe a citizen of the United States (U.S.)Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7407(a)2RegistrationAll applicants must hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsExceptions: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below - but do not possess the RDN credential - may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2) and must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college - university or foreign equivalentCompleted 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 RDNA list of ACEND accredited programs is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory Foreign EducationTo 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 examNon-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential3.English Language ProficiencyCandidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)4Grandfathering ProvisionEmployees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate and legal placement effective October 14 - 2022 - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and registration/certification - where applicableGRADE DETERMINATION GS-7 ExperienceNone beyond the basic requirementsGRADE DETERMINATION GS-9 1ExperienceAt least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - OR EducationMaster's degree - from a regionally accredited university or college - that is related to nutrition2Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirementsKnowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition careAbility 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 outcomesAbility to develop patient-centered goalsAbility to collect data for performance improvement studiesAbility to collaborate with stakeholdersGRADE DETERMINATION GS-11 1ExperienceAt least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade2Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA)In addition to the experience or education 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 outcomesSkill in developing patient-centered goalsSkill in analyzing data for performance improvement studiesSkill in collaborating with stakeholdersAbility to comply with various accrediting - regulatory and agency authoritiesReference: VA Handbook 5005/154 - Part II Appendix G20 - Dietitian - Qualification Standard dated October 14 - 2022please 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 adjustmentA pre-placement physical examination is not requiredThe full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. Duties This position involves a multi-grade career ladderThe major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11At the lower grade levels - you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independenceYou will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher-level work - and availability of fundsThe duties of the Dietitian (Clinical) includes but is not limited to: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) - including nutrition focused physical examinations - to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutritionDevelops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventionsModifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomesCalculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patientDocuments MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) formatFunctions independently and accurately when record keepingIdentifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care teamActively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetingsAssesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to careEnsures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of VeteransLeads activities in the implementation of new initiativesUses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actionsComplies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient careMay perform other related dutiesWork Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: PD99529S - PD99530S - and PD99531S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are metSelection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.