Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary: Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. The position is located at the Clarksville facility in Montgomery County.

Qualifications

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 the American Dietetic Association).

Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the following requirements may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). They may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted or converted until they obtain their RDN credential.

• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by ACEND to meet their International Dietitian Education standards.
• Completed an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director confirming eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.

Current VHA Dietitians 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

GS-07:

• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09:

• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, OR
• Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-09:

• Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• Ability to deliver patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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:

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) for GS-11:

• 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.

For more information on this qualification standard, visit VA Qualification Standards.

Physical Requirements

• The position requires intermittent walking and standing.
• Carrying normal amounts of written/reference materials is routinely done.
• Occasionally, duties may require the movement of audio-visual equipment, charts, and arrangement of classroom areas.

Responsibilities

The clinical dietitian will demonstrate competency in all areas required to be credentialed at the full scope of practice as an outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy provider and will be primarily assigned to provide outpatient services. The clinical dietitian may be scheduled to any nutrition practice area according to coverage needs.

GS-7 Assignments:

• Serves in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position, working under the guidance of a Dietitian at the full performance level or above.
• Performs increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion.
• Conducts nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines.
• Learns to interpret research, apply whole health principles, and develop patient-centered goals.
• Develops skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
• Complies with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.

GS-9 Assignments:

• Serves in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position, performing increasingly complex tasks under general supervision.
• Conducts nutrition assessments using the NCP.
• Develops skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research, and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems.
• Complies with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
• Collects data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assists in implementing new initiatives.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Assignments:

• Serves in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position.
• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation) to assure high-quality nutrition care.
• Applies evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interprets research, and utilizes whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Accountable for independent and accurate record keeping, autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities, and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems.
• Ensures work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and contribute to continuous improvement of safe and quality care.
• Collects and analyzes data related to performance improvement activities within NFS, leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives, and collaborates with stakeholders.

Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
• Telework: Ad-hoc.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.