Dietitian (Clinical)

Job Title

Registered Dietitian

Duties

The Registered Dietitian requires the skill in applying the theories and practices of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Service and Office of Telehealth Services policies and procedures and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The Dietitian(Clinical) will provide authoritative advice and program consultation on nutrition and weigh management programs; develop new approaches and apply current scientific advances; maintain effective working relationships with public health administrators and different community resource agencies. The Dietitian must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions:

• Assesses nutritional, behavioral, and physical activity needs of individuals through analysis of patient histories and the MOVE! 23 Questionnaires.
• Screens veterans for a home telehealth device and assigns the most appropriate device to meet needs of veteran/caregiver.
• Reviews expectation with veteran/caregiver on using the home telehealth device for 82 day daily session in a 90 day period that can be repeated.
• Assesses biochemical and anthropometric finds, obtains history of dietary intake, and evaluates clinical factors to consider complex health requirements imposed by the patient's specific disease and weight management treatment plan.
• Monitors patients daily/weekly weight status and answers to weight reduction disease management questions and follows up when there are out-of-range alerts on monitor devices.
• Monitors medications, treatment modalities and progress towards goals and intervenes frequently to respond to complicated disease state.
• Reviews current lab tests to assess nutritional laboratory parameters and monitors weight management outcome measures.
• Synthesizes data to determine nutritional and weight loss consequences on the system and thus evaluate patients projected response to treatment.
• Develops and assesses effectiveness of general and specialized diets and weight management care plans.
• Develop care plans for severely nutritionally and medically compromised patients.
• Develops or identifies specialized feeding programs for morbidly obese patient conditions to enhance weight management outcomes.
• Assesses compliance by the patient/family caregiver.
• Counsels individuals and health care providers on using motivational interviewing techniques to meet patient therapeutic goals.
• Monitor weekly and complete tracking reports of weights using home Telehealth data.
• Plans, delivers and evaluates weight management education for patients.
• Educates patients for compliance with critical and specialized nutrition weight loss care plan.
• Provides nutritional, behavioral, and physical activity counseling to patients.
• Documents in the electronic medical record.
• Serves on Health Education committees as assigned.
• Develop guidance for Telehealth MOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Assures compliance with the VHA Weight Management Program Directives.
• Coordinates program activities
• Establishes and maintains a continuous and systematic process of curriculum development, assessment, review, revision, evaluation and implementation of the Telehealth MOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Utilizes effective written and oral communication skills.
• Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with the Telehealth Move! Program.
• Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritizing of tasks.
• Maintains accurate records.
• Manages resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Assists in the evaluation and effectiveness of the MOVE! Weight management program.
• Analyze criteria and adjust standards in response to program development.
• Develops tools for the nutritional assessment.
• Serves as the nutrition expert on the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Conduct presentations at seminars, workshops, and lectures.
• Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development.
• Participates in departmental meetings, task forces, and projects.
• Complies with the VHA Core Values and the VAMC Washington, DC House Rules at all times
• Courteous and cooperative with coworkers, supervisors, patients, visitors, and medical Center personnel.
• Protects sensitive data and completes annual computer security training.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework: Available, Ad-hoc only as determined by the agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: PD260284F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs