Dietitian (Clinical)

SummaryThis 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.QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language Proficiency: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)Registration: 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)Education: The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria: (a) Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) - formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE).(b) Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice programSupervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND - formally known as CADECompletion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice programTime spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experienceIndividuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United StatesValidation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of didactic program - dietetic internship - or coordinated program requirementsThe completion of ACEND didactic program requirements and at least a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent are necessary for eligibility to enter an ACEND-accredited supervised practice programMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations:GS-11 Dietitian (Full Performance Level ) Experience or Education: Must have one year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level GS 09.In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs"" Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g. - assessment - diagnosis - intervention - monitoring and evaluation)Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomesSkill in developing patient-centered goalsSkill in analyzing data for performance improvement studiesSkill in collaborating with stakeholdersAbility to comply with various accrediting - regulatory and agency authoritiesAssignment- Employees 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: At least 1 year of outpatient nutrition experience preferredReference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 - For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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 adjustmentA pre-placement physical examination is not required.DutiesThis is a full performance level positionThe Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert in Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) DepartmentThe Clinical Dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers - the Veteran - the Veteran's Caregiver and the CommunityThe position is located at the VA Medical Center in Manchester New HampshireMajor Duties 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 patient.- Documents 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 standards.- Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systemsEnsures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of 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 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 SectionMay perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignmentWork Schedule:40 Hours per week - 7:30am-4:00pm EST Monday-Friday - ESTPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experienceParental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA .Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Yes - at supervisor discretionVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 99529-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact MsKaren.Chapman@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized NOTIFICATION:: This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive statusTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is not a Bargaining Unit positionCurrent and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously heldNarrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.