Dietitian (Clinical)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Longview, TX, United States
Summary
Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, Veterans, their caregivers, 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 be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential required. Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Exception for GS-07 and GS-09: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year, under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2).
Non-credentialed Dietitians must meet all basic qualification requirements. They must have earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
Foreign education must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND’s International Dietitian Education standards.
Must have completed an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide verification from the program director.
Current VHA Dietitians covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade without meeting current RDN/RD requirements.
Grade determinations:
GS-07: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
GS-09: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of virtual technology for nutrition care.
Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, evaluation).
Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
Ability to collect data for performance-improvement studies.
Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
GS-11: Experience: At least one year as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
Additional KSAs for GS-11:
Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP.
Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices.
Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
Skill in analyzing data for performance-improvement studies.
Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
Ability to comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
Preferred Experience: None.
Physical Requirements
May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions.
The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
Requires the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
Conduct nutrition assessments for patients of lower acuity using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk or degree of malnutrition.
Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluate and monitor effectiveness and outcomes.
Modify treatment plans as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
Document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format.
Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support, communicating with the health care team.
Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
Complete care plans/Minimum Data Set within established time frames.
Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling tailored to Veterans.
Maintain productivity standards and accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities.
Manage clinic grids to maximize access to nutrition services.
Ensure both virtual and face-to-face modalities are available to meet patient needs.
Participate in service-level strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives, policies, procedures, and goals.
Support service-level performance-improvement activities, including development of measures, data collection, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
Comply with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
Work Schedule
7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday, subject to change based on facility needs.
Telework
Not available. This is not a virtual position.
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Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, Veterans, their caregivers, 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 be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential required. Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Exception for GS-07 and GS-09: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year, under 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2).
Non-credentialed Dietitians must meet all basic qualification requirements. They must have earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
Foreign education must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND’s International Dietitian Education standards.
Must have completed an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide verification from the program director.
Current VHA Dietitians covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade without meeting current RDN/RD requirements.
Grade determinations:
GS-07: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
GS-09: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of virtual technology for nutrition care.
Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, evaluation).
Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
Ability to collect data for performance-improvement studies.
Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
GS-11: Experience: At least one year as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
Additional KSAs for GS-11:
Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP.
Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices.
Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
Skill in analyzing data for performance-improvement studies.
Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
Ability to comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
Preferred Experience: None.
Physical Requirements
May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions.
The area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.
Requires the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
Conduct nutrition assessments for patients of lower acuity using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk or degree of malnutrition.
Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluate and monitor effectiveness and outcomes.
Modify treatment plans as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
Document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format.
Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support, communicating with the health care team.
Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
Complete care plans/Minimum Data Set within established time frames.
Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling tailored to Veterans.
Maintain productivity standards and accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities.
Manage clinic grids to maximize access to nutrition services.
Ensure both virtual and face-to-face modalities are available to meet patient needs.
Participate in service-level strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives, policies, procedures, and goals.
Support service-level performance-improvement activities, including development of measures, data collection, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
Comply with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
Work Schedule
7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday, subject to change based on facility needs.
Telework
Not available. This is not a virtual position.
#J-18808-Ljbffr