Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Dietitian (Clinical) for Nutrition and Food Services. This position will be functioning in a TeleMOVE Dietitian role in the MOVE Weight Management Program. Other clinical and administrative duties can be assigned based on workload. This would be a Temporary Appointment Not to Exceed 9/30/2026.

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 Policy
Registration
(1) All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
(2) 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)
i 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)
B
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
ii 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
(b) 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
(c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
(e) 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
Grandfathering Provision
Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable
Physical Requirements
You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
English Language Proficiency
Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C
7403(f)
Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 Experience or Education
None beyond the basic requirements
Assignment
Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position
They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion
Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines
Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals
They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems
Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction
Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 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
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
Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 Experience
At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
Examples of experience include: Applied knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
Applied knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
Delivered patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation)
Applied evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
Developed patient-centered goals
Collected data for performance improvement studies
Collaborated with stakeholders
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
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/80 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G20 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.
Duties "The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community.
They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.
Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.
Duties include, but are not limited to: - 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.
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 and 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.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Administrative Hours (Days) Telework: Regular Telework, 3 plus days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"

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