Dietitian

Summary

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert. The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nurritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community.

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Duties

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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties may included 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.
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
• Ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans.
• Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Uses data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions.
• Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
• Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veteran's dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section.
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Telework : Available (Ad-hoc only)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : PD99631-S, PD99530-S, and PD99529-S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. The EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language Proficiency . Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.

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

• None beyond the basic requirements.

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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

1. Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
2. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
3. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
4. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
5. Ability to develop patient-centered goals.(f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
6. 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.
• Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
2. Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
3. Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
4. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
5. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.(f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience:

• Serves as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is independently responsible for managing the total nutritional care to adult Veteran patients of varying ages.
• The dietitian is independently responsible for all phases of assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP).
• The incumbent assesses nutritional status, reviews and interprets pertinent diagnostic and treatment data, and develops, implements, and monitors the nutritional care plan.
• The incumbent reviews and calculates modified diets to meet the special dietary needs of those patients requiring nutrition intervention.
• In the medical record, the incumbent accurately documents the nutritional status, nutrient intake, nutritional education, and other pertinent data.
• In addition, the incumbent is recognized as the nutrition expert and participates as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team within each outpatient clinic.
• The incumbent assesses educational needs of a mainly outpatient population, with inpatient coverage as part of the weekend rotation.
• The incumbent provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups and schedules both new and follow-up outpatient visits.
• The incumbent will perform other duties, as assigned.
• Selective Placement Factor: Serves as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and is independently responsible for managing the total nutritional care to adult Veteran patients of varying ages.
• The dietitian is independently responsible for all phases of assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP).
• The incumbent assesses nutritional status, reviews and interprets pertinent diagnostic and treatment data, and develops, implements, and monitors the nutritional care plan.
• The incumbent reviews and calculates modified diets to meet the special dietary needs of those patients requiring nutrition intervention.
• In the medical record, the incumbent accurately documents the nutritional status, nutrient intake, nutritional education, and other pertinent data.
• In addition, the incumbent is recognized as the nutrition expert and participates as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team within each outpatient clinic.
• The incumbent assesses educational needs of a mainly outpatient population, with inpatient coverage as part of the weekend rotation.
• The incumbent provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups and schedules both new and follow-up outpatient visits. The incumbent will perform other duties, as assigned.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Education

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

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.

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.

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. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements:

1. Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
2. Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments.
3. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment.
4. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re- entry in the occupation.

Additional information

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.