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Dietitian (Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Spokane, WA, United States


Overview
Summary : Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community.

Summary : Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community.

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

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

AND 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 are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory

Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-7 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-9 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: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements

Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care

Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and 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

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: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)

Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes

Skill in developing patient-centered goals

Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies

Skill in collaborating with stakeholders

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 (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation) - assuring 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 efficiently completing 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

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

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 pounds) - use of fingers - both hands required - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - ability to distinguish shades of color - and hearing (aid may be permitted)

Environmental factors include excessive heat & cold - constant noise - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working closely with others - and working alone.

Duties

Nutritional Care: Conduct a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients - NFPE and medical nutrition therapy

Evaluate patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems

Prioritize the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health - recovery from illness - management of chronic disease or disease prevention while tailoring diet prescriptions to each individual patient

Utilize evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulate a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem

Actively support 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 as applicable

Work cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions as applicable

Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support - including suitable route - formula - and rate of administration

Provide initial and on-going nutritional assessment of patients receiving enteral (EN) and/or Parenteral nutrition (PN)

Order EN/PN if Scope of Practice allows

Order oral nutritional supplements - diets - and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges

Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions

Evaluate the patient\'s response to care based on identified - measurable outcomes and reviews the plan - as appropriate

Document 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

Measure outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness and measure progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions

Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care: Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups - incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural - religious - educational and medical situation of the patient

Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver\'s readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors

Provide follow-up nutrition education/counseling in accordance with the patient\'s treatment goals - determines ongoing needs and referral to another provider or service as required

Participate in planning and education of home nutrition support

Serve on committees and workgroups as needed / assigned

Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available - Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position

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

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