Dietitian (Clinical)

SummaryEmployees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients - including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's caregiver - and the community.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyRegistered 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 credentialNon-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 credentialNon-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 equivalentForeign 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 RDNA list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs DirectoryCurrent 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 requirementsGrade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical) - GS-07 Experience or EducationNone beyond the basic requirementsAssignmentEmployees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental positionThey 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 promotionClinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelinesClinical Dietitians learn to interpret research - apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goalsThey develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systemsClinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient careThey collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfactionDietitian (Clinical) - GS-09 ExperienceAt least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelOR EducationMaster's degree from a regionally accredited university or collegeKnowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn 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 stakeholdersAssignmentEmployees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental positionThey perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervisionClinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCPThey develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomesClinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to careThey maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systemsClinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient careThey collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiativesClinical 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 ExperienceAt least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower gradeKnowledge - Skills and AbilitiesIn 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 authoritiesAssignmentEmployees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level positionClinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation) - assuring high-quality nutrition careThey apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines - interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient centered goals and improve outcomesClinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to careThey are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping - autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systemsClinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality careThey collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS - lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholdersClinical 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 SectionPreferred Experience: Experience with nutrition support Experience in the outpatient clinical setting Experience working with inspectors of accrediting agencies i.eJoint Commission - LTCI - CARF - OIG Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 poundsUse of fingers - Both hands required - Both hands requiredWalking (4 hours)Standing (3 hours)Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the otherHearing (aid permitted) Environmental Factors: Dry atmospheric conditions - Working around machinery with moving parts - Working closely with othersDutiesDuties include 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 malnutritionDevelops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventionsModifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomesCalculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patientDocuments MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) formatFunctions independently and accurately when record keepingIdentifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care teamActively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetingsAssesses 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 careMaintains productivity standardsMaintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care VeteransLeads activities in the implementation of new initiativesUses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actionsComplies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient careCollaborates with Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dinning experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations SectionMay perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignmentWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: PD99529S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized