Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

The Clinical Dietitian is assigned to the Nutrition and Food Service at the Gainesville VAMC, FL. The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. This position supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community.

Duties

The Clinical Dietitian will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) directives, policies and procedures, and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The Clinical Dietitian may be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area.

Duties within the following practice areas may include but are not limited to:

• Nutritional Care
  • Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
  • Develops and implements an individualized plan for MNT in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
  • Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
  • Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
  • Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
• Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care
  • Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education or counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational and medical situation of the patient. Includes information regarding budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, food storage and sanitation.
  • Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors.
  • Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
  • Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug incompatibilities and counsels/communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
  • Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (WC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care.
• Business Functions
  • Maintains productivity standards. Practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks to ensure efficient workflow in assigned area.
  • Ensures completion of consult management tasks by reviewing assigned nutrition consults. Ensures appropriate scheduling and timely completion of all assigned consults.
  • Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters utilizing the Event Capture System (ECS).
  • Manages resources (time, materials, and staff) in a cost-effective manner.
  • Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
• Quality Improvement/Research
  • Supports Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators, evaluation criteria, collecting performance improvement data, monitoring outcomes, and initiating corrective actions.
  • Contributes to a culture of safety by entering patient safety concerns in the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System (JPRS).
  • Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.
  • Participates in service-level strategic planning.
  • Participates in peer review process.
• Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team
  • Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, team rounds, medical conferences and nutrition-related in-services.
  • Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. This includes the development and participation of in-service educational programs directed to members of interdisciplinary teams, NFS personnel, Nursing, and various students, interns and residents.
  • Coordinates care with colleagues in a variety of medical and home settings to ensure appropriate transitions of care are addressed to meet the patient's needs.
  • Adheres to standards of professional performance.
  • Determines need for home care to assure continuity of care and makes appropriate referrals to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), Social Work Service, Satellite clinics or other community agencies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or Sunday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Available - May be able to Telework in accordance with Agency policy and Service Approval.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000 and PD99529S
Relocation Incentives: Authorized-A Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified individual.
Recruitment Incentives: Authorized-A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Graduate Health Professional Trainee.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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