Dietitian

Dietitian

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The Dietitian is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community. Position will work at the Lahontan Valley VA Clinic in Fallon, NV.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

Nutritional Care:

• Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
• Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions.
• Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
• Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs. With an understanding of the patient's health condition, designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, physical activity, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutrition care plan.
• Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention.
• Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem.
• Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals, assisting in implementation of new initiatives, and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section.
• Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessment of patients receiving enteral (EN) and/or Parenteral nutrition (PN). Orders EN/PN if Scope of Practice allows.
• Orders labs, diets, and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges. Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions. Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan, as appropriate.
• Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, MNT initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, patient consents and discharge planning. Measures outcomes through selecting indicators relevant to the nutrition diagnosis. Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions by comparing current findings with previous goals and/or reference standards. Documentation supports an interdisciplinary approach and continuity of care.

Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care:

• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational and medical situation of the patient. Includes information regarding budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, food storage and sanitation.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors.
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
• Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug incompatibilities and counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
• Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (VVC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care.
• Provides follow-up nutrition education/counseling in accordance with the patient's treatment goals and determines when a problem requires consultation or referral to another provider or service.
• Participates in planning and education of home nutrition support.

Location: Reno, NV

Salary: $59,751 - $114,951 per year

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-7/11

Work Schedule: Part time 22 hours weekly
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Dietitian/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel.

Qualifications

Applicants 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 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: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
• Education and Supervised Practice: 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:
• 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).
• Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program.
• Registration/Certification: Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Exception. Non-CDR registered applicants who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements may be appointed, pending CDR registration, as a temporary full-time graduate dietitian. This appointment may not exceed 2 years. Applicants who fail to obtain CDR registration during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level.

May 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 Dietitian

(Entry Level)Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Basic knowledge of principles and practices of dietetics and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).
• Ability to provide nutrition care utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to patients, family members and/or caregivers considering psycho-social issues and age-appropriate, evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with patients, family and/or caregiver, and other professional healthcare providers (e.g., tailoring to audience and use of medical terminology).
• Ability to plan and organize work consisting of multiple tasks and priorities under direct supervision.
• Basic knowledge of, and ability to use, current information technology operations, software, hardware, terminology, security requirements, and capabilities.
• Knowledge of basic food production and service for various populations which incorporates principles of sanitation, safety, and menu planning within a healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, and the ability to execute existing education and training activities for Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) employees.

GS-9 Dietitian (Developmental Level)

Experience or Education. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or master's degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility, under general supervision.
• Knowledge of various food preparation and delivery systems within a healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, training materials, and resources and the ability to develop and conduct education and training programs for NFS employees.
• Ability to participate in research studies and conduct performance improvement studies and document findings to evaluate staff, food, supplies, equipment, and service, in order to improve the efficiency of the operation.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics including NCP and MNT in order to plan, develop, and coordinate nutrition interventions, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities that promote Veteran health, wellness and lifestyle management.

GS-11 Dietitian (Full Performance Level)

Experience or Education. At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level, or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of best practices in the dietetics profession and in scientific literature, including knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice.
• Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.
• Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems.

In addition to the KSAs identified above, candidates for clinical nutrition positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.
• Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G20. DIETITIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-630, Dated September 5, 2014

The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 7 to 11.

Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - a physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

Due to COVID-19, VA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. Management officials will provide information about returning to the official, pre-pandemic worksite, when applicable. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework depending upon the terms of your organization's telework policy and the duties of the position.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $59,751.00 - $114,951.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Ability to Commute:

• Fallon, NV 89406 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Fallon, NV 89406: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $59,751 - $114,951