Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

The clinical dietitian is responsible for all aspects of nutritional care to patients in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), Home Health Care Service (HHCS). The HBPC Clinical Dietitian primarily visits patients in the home-setting within the CAVHS catchment area 75% or more of the time, driving government cars to the patient's residence. The HBPC PACT teams covered by this position include Little Rock and Pine Bluff.

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Duties

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Duties of the Dietitian (Clinical) include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Clinical Dietitian with primary responsibility for developing and coordinating all aspects of nutrition care plans, including screening and assessing of nutritional status of patients; defining short and long term goals; delineating treatment modalities and education plans; establishing procedures for implementation of the nutrition care plan, on-going information gathering and evaluation. Identifies high-risk patients who require comprehensive nutritional assessment and support. Integrates a number of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity in developing on-going treatment plans.
• Communicates monitors and verifies implementation of nutrition care plans; documents all aspects of nutrition care in the medical record. Evaluates the effects of intervention on individual patient nutritional status, and adjusts treatment and care as necessary. Recommends changes in prescribed diet to the physician and multidisciplinary team.
• Plans, organizes, implements and evaluates nutrition education for patients and/or caregivers concerning patient's nutritional plan and provides follow-up. Incumbent is responsible for counseling and guiding the patient and/or caregiver to an understanding of the nutritional aspects of his care. Modifies instructions with consideration of the patient and/or caregiver's level of comprehension, cultural background, socio-economic needs and other factors that may influence the patient's ability to follow nutritional care plans in the home.
• Serves as an active member on interdisciplinary treatment teams. Communicates pertinent information to health care professionals regarding individual patient nutritional care needs, and assists in the development of treatment plans. Collects and assimilates laboratory, medical, and nutritional information for use by the multidisciplinary team. Develops and implements short and long term goals related to efficient and effective nutrition care for the patients who often have complicated medical problems.
• Completes necessary referrals to other agencies as required.
• Plans and participates in the education of health care professionals and trainees regarding nutrition specialty. Participates in CAVHS training programs for dietetic interns and/or technicians if indicated.
• Participates in related professional activities; uses research findings and current knowledge in nutritional sciences.
• Interprets nutrition research and clinical studies relative to this specialty, and develops guidelines, protocols, and procedures that are selective to this nutrition specialty.
• Participates in local, regional and national programs and workshops on nutrition care; develops and participates in education programs.
• Participates in the Quality Management Program to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of services provided. Participates in the peer review process for HHCS.
• Relieves for other dietitians within HBPC as assigned.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework : Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 06667F; 06668F; 06669F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

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).
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle.
• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process.

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.
    • 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.

Grade Determinations : All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment below.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07

Experience or Education. 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.

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.

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.

Preferred Experience: Experience in geriatrics, home health, and working with a interdisciplinary team.

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

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, 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. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

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

Additional information

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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