Dietitian (Clinical)

Employees in this assignment serve as a Dietitian (Clinical) within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Service within the Salisbury VA Medical Center. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community.

Duties include but are not limited to:

GS-7: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry level developmental position within the Clinical Section of NFS.

GS-9: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position within the Clinical Section of NFS.

GS-11: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert.

• 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 malnutrition.
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions. Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, communicating appropriately with the health care team.
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings. Completes care plans/Minimum Data Set (MOS) within established time frames.
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s).
• Maintains productivity standards.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Participates in service-level strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives, policies, procedures, and goals.
• Supports service-level performance improvement activities to include development of measure, data collection, data evaluation, and initiation corrective actions.
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and qualify patient care.
• Serves as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section.
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for the assigned grade and assignments.