Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary This Clinical Dietitian position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service at the Robert J. Dole VAMC. 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 PolicyRegistered 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 credentialNon-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 credentialNon-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 equivalentForeign 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 RDNA list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs DirectoryCurrent 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 requirementsCurrent 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 requirementsGrade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment belowDietitian (Clinical) - GS-07Experience or EducationNone beyond the basic requirementsDietitian (Clinical) - GS-09ExperienceAt least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelOR EducationMaster's degree from a regionally accredited university or collegeKnowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn 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 stakeholdersDietitian (Clinical) - GS-11.ExperienceAt least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower gradeKnowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The 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-07 to GS-11Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-employment examination. Duties This position will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in NFS directives - policies and procedures - and VA regulations governing the practice of dieteticsThe clinical dietitian may be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area.Major Duties and Responsibilities: Conducts nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity 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 outcomesDocuments MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) formatCalculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactionsIdentifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support - communicating appropriately with the health care teamActively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetingsCompletes care plans/Minimum Data Set (MOS) within established time framesAssesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)Maintains productivity standardsPlanning - developing - and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs Supporting the facility's mission and coordinating nutritional care with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community requiring expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities Diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities Using assessment methodologies such as identifying physical signs of malnutrition - drug/nutrient interactions and depletions - and assessment of intake and nutrient losses Performing other related duties as assignedWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Functional Statement #: PD99529S Financial Disclosure Report: Not required