Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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
English Language Proficiency
Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C
§ 7403(f)
Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g
bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference
COPY OF REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Foreign 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
Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential
(a) Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C
§ 7405(c)(2)
Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: A Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S
regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below)
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 RDN
A list of ACEND® accredited programs is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory
Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level
Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Registration
In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date
At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline
Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment
Loss of Credential
In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian: RDN and Registered Dietitian (RD) credentials are the same and both are qualifying
The difference between RDN and RD is in name only due to a change by the professional academy in 2014
In this standard, the term RDN will be used
Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dietitian (Clinical): Experience or Education
None beyond the basic requirements GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical): 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 AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
(b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
(c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation)
(d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
(e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals
(f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies
(g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) Full Performance Level: Experience
At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation)
(b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
(c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals
(d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies
(e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders
(f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix 20, Qualifications for Dietitians
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11
Physical Requirements: Light carrying (under 15 lbs), use of fingers, walking (1 hr), standing (6 hrs), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, working closely with others, working alone.
Duties "Responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutrition care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.
The Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (RRTP) currently houses up to 150 Veterans seeking supported treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness.
Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (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/drug interactions.
Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs.
Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention.
Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem.
Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction, as applicable.
Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions, as applicable.
Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration.
Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessment.
Orders labs, diets, and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges.
Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions.
Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan, as appropriate.
Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, MNT initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, patient consents and discharge planning.
Measures outcomes through selecting indicators relevant to the nutrition diagnosis.
Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions by comparing current findings with previous goals and/or reference standards.
Documentation supports an interdisciplinary approach and continuity of care.
Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/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 counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (VVC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care.
Provides follow-up nutrition education/counseling in accordance with the patient's treatment goals and determines when a problem requires consultation or referral to another provider or service.
Participates in planning and education of home nutrition support.
Functions as a clinical preceptor for the dietetic internship program and in a teaching role for other health care professionals, patients and the community.
Assists in the education and oversight of dietetic students and interns.
Assists in planning learning experiences, teaching, and evaluating performance.
Develops and prepares Healthy Teaching Kitchen presentations.
Completes MDS/Care plans timely, as applicable.
Participates in community projects and education.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 07:30am - 5:00pm (flexible) Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Approved.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"

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