Logo
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215

Save Job

Join to apply for the

Dietitian (Clinical)

role at

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .

Pay Range This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$54,857.00/yr - $105,547.00/yr

Summary 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.

Qualifications

United States Citizenship:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

Registered 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 credential

Non-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 credential

Non-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 equivalent

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

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 the ACEND Accredited Programs Directory

Current 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 requirements

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 a 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

Assignment:

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position

They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision

Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP

They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes

Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care

They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems

Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care

They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives

Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience – support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section

Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-11 Experience

At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade

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

Assignment:

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position

Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP – ensuring high-quality nutrition care

They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes

Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care

They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping – autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficient completion of patient encounters using approved systems

Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care

They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS – lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders

Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience – support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section

Preferred Experience:

Experience with nutrition support; experience in a hospital setting; experience working with inspectors of accrediting agencies (e.g. Joint Commission, LTCI, CARF, OIG)

Physical Requirements:

Refer to VA Handbook 5019 for pre-placement examination requirements

Dietitian (Clinical) providing HBPC must possess a current – valid – and unrestricted driver's license in order to operate a government-owned vehicle.

Duties

Conduct 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 (GS-07)

Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis – evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions (GS-07)

Modify the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes (GS-07)

Document MNT in the medical record using the Assessment – Diagnosis – Intervention – Monitoring – Evaluation (ADIME) format (GS-07)

Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions (GS-07)

Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support – communicating appropriately with the health care team (GS-07)

Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings (GS-07)

Complete care plans/Minimum Data Set (MOS) within established time frames (GS-07)

Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups tailored to the Veteran(s) (GS-07)

Maintain productivity standards (GS-07)

Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP – including nutrition-focused physical examinations – to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition (GS-09)

Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis – evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions (GS-09)

Modify the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes (GS-09)

Document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format (GS-09)

Calculate nutrition requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions – tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient (GS-09)

Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support – communicating appropriately with the health care team (GS-09)

Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings (GS-09)

Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups tailored to the Veteran(s) (GS-09)

Maintain productivity standards (GS-09)

Maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems (GS-09)

Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the NCP – including nutrition-focused physical examinations – to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition (GS-11)

Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis – evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions (GS-11)

Modify the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes (GS-11)

Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions – tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient (GS-11)

Document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format (GS-11)

Function independently and accurately when record keeping (GS-11)

Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support – communicating appropriately with the health care team (GS-11)

Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings (GS-11)

Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups tailored to the Veteran(s) (GS-11)

Utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care (GS-11)

Maintain productivity standards (GS-11)

Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework: Ad Hoc Telework only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: PD99529S. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Seniority Level Entry level

Employment Type Full-time

Job Function Health Care Provider

Industries Government Administration

#J-18808-Ljbffr