Dietitian (Clinical)

Dietitian (Clinical) Providing Home-Based Primary Care Within Extended Care

The dietitian (clinical) providing home-based primary care within extended care will act as the expert in medical nutrition. This role involves independently applying evidence-based nutrition guidelines to all patients, including those with intricate medical and nutritional requirements. Dietitians in this setting will collaborate with other healthcare professionals, the veteran, their caregivers, and the community to coordinate nutritional care. They will analyze research and implement whole health principles to establish patient-centered goals and enhance health outcomes.

Assigned duties:

• 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 clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems.
• Ensures 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 veterans' 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: 7:30 am - 4pm Monday - Friday

Telework: Ad hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by the agency policy.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional statement #: 92925-A 92926-A 92927-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized