Dietitian (Clinical)

About the Role

The Clinical Dietitian will function in Home Based Primary Care within Extended Care at the Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Indianapolis, IN. This role involves independently applying evidence-based nutrition guidelines to all patients, including those with intricate medical and nutritional requirements. Dietitians will collaborate with other healthcare professionals, the Veteran, their caregivers, and the community to coordinate nutritional care, analyze research, and implement whole health principles to establish patient-centered goals and enhance health outcomes.

Duties

• 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 malnutrition.
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions, and modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient.
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format. Functions independently and accurately when record keeping.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support, recommends the appropriate mode of support, and communicates appropriately with the health care team.
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assesses 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 care.
• Maintains productivity standards and accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, completing patient encounters using approved systems.
• Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans.
• Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Uses data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
• Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section.
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.

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).
• 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

GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical) (Entry Level Developmental): No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical) (Developmental): 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:

• Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements.
• Ability to manage computer software programs relative to food service systems.
• Ability to develop training and reference materials.
• Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes.
• Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level): In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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.

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.

Schedule

7:30 am - 4pm Monday - Friday.