What are the responsibilities and job description for the WDVA Dietitian 2, Full-Time - Permanent, Washington Veterans Home position at State of Washington Dept. of Veterans Affairs?
Description
Dietitian 2
Full-Time - Permanent
Washington Veterans Home
Washington Veterans Home
WDVA is hiring a Senior Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to use their passion for food and dietetics to maximize the quality of care for our resident Veterans and train and lead a team of dietetic staff at the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard, Washington.
If you are an experienced dietitian looking to utilize your clinical nutrition skills to impact our resident community, this fantastic opportunity is for you!
This job performs professional level nutrition assessments, counseling and education and provides medical nutritional therapy in a long-term care setting.
This role is great for seasoned dietitians with an interest in unique patient cases. You will have the support of a multidisciplinary care team as well as time to get to know your patients. Apply now and join us in transforming lives!
Please Note: Standard business hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.., Monday through Friday in-office at the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard, with possible variation hours from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.
Position(s) at this location will also receive 5% Premium Pay for facilities open twenty-four hours per day. Employees must physically work at the facility 3 days per workweek to qualify. The 5% Premium Pay is in effect until June 29th, 2025.
At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star families.
Duties
Some of what you'll do:
- Train staff and dietetic interns in specialty areas to meet facility and resident needs.
- Provide periodic training to nursing staff in current nutrition research and its application to nutrition and food service systems in sub-speciality areas as they relate to resident needs.
- Provide new employee orientation regarding basic nutrition support/principles.
- Train assigned personnel on nutrition policies and procedures to remain in compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Provide training and support to Dietitian 1 on electronic medical records and MDS standards of care.
- Keep clear, concise and accurate records and communicate with dietary supervisory team ensuring needed support for nutrition care plan is available and instructions are clear resulting in positive nutrition outcomes.
- Set expectations, provide feedback, assign and monitor work, and respond to leave requests.
- Evaluate performance and complete professional development plan for assigned personnel.
- Conduct disease-specific research to promote innovative nutrition approach for resident care.
- Drive facility goals and objectives related to Executive Order 13-06 for resident benefit.
- Identify and monitor residents at nutrition risk.
- And more!
*Complete Position Description available upon request*
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor's degree involving major study in food and nutrition or dietetics which meets the educational standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Two (2) years of recent experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), preferred in long-term care.
- Registration by the Commission of Dietetics Registration (RD/RDN).
- Certified dietitian with the Washington State Department of Health or within six (6) months of hire.*
- Applicants with a Registered Dietitian Eligible (RDE) credential are eligible for consideration and must pass and obtain their RDN within six (6) months of hire.
Preferred/Desired:
-
Certifications:
- Certified Diabetes Educator.
- Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition.
- ServSafe certification.
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Experience/Knowledge:
- Point Click Care and/or other electronic medical record program.
- Project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Demonstrated skills and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
- Group facilitation, conflict resolution, and a working knowledge of organizational development issues.
- Knowledge of DSHS and VA guidelines with regard to nutrition and food service.
- Geriatric nutrition.
- Therapeutic diet planning, preparation and serving of special diets, and sanitary methods of food handling.
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Competencies:
- Organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
- Proficiently demonstrate working knowledge of the Nutrition Care Process.
- Communicate effectively, including demonstrating clear and effective written and verbal communication.
- Remain patient and work effectively with others in stressful or sensitive situations.
- Comfortably perform outreach and public speaking.
- Respond quickly to change.
- Develop good working relationships with residents and staff.
- Occasionally work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
- Adapt to changing work routines and responsibilities, stay focused on tasks, work efficiently, and handle interruptions appropriately.
- Organize and schedule work and prepare and maintain dietetic charts and nutrition histories.
- Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.
- Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.
- Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and follow proper call-in procedures.
- Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory, annual, in-service, and other required training.
- Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
- Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
- Must maintain a valid Washington State Food Handler's Permit (from https://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov).
- Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
- Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
Supplemental Information
Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!
Application Process:
Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
Other Information:
- This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.
If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.
