CLINICAL DIETITIAN

Summary

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert. They support the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the veteran, the veteran's caregiver and the community.

The clinical dietitian's expertise is specific to diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

02 / 06 / 2024 to 05 / 06 / 2024

Salary

$49,025 - $130,319 per year

Your actual salary will vary depending on the grade / step and location for which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade

GS 7 - 11

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Locations

Few vacancies in the following locations :

• Casa Grande, AZ
• Phoenix, AZ
• Prescott, AZ
• Tucson, AZ
• Show more locations (82)
• Chico, CA
• Loma Linda, CA
• Long Beach, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Murrieta, CA
• Palm Desert, CA
• Redlands, CA
• Stockton, CA
• Grand Junction, CO
• Montrose, CO
• Wilmington, DE
• Bay Pines, FL
• Gainesville, FL
• Lakeland, FL
• Miami, FL
• Orlando, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Athens, GA
• Augusta, GA
• Decatur, GA
• Dublin, GA
• East Point, GA
• Perry, GA
• Tifton, GA
• Zebulon, GA
• Chicago, IL
• Hines, IL
• Fort Wayne, IN
• Indianapolis, IN
• Marion, IN
• Lewiston, ME
• Togus, ME
• Baltimore, MD
• Perry Point, MD
• Boston, MA
• Brockton, MA
• Battle Creek, MI
• Gaylord, MI
• Saginaw, MI
• Wyoming, MI
• Minneapolis, MN
• Saint Louis, MO
• Billings, MT
• Fort Harrison, MT
• East Orange, NJ
• Lyons, NJ
• Albuquerque, NM
• Batavia, NY
• Bronx, NY
• Brooklyn, NY
• Buffalo, NY
• Montrose, NY
• New York, NY
• Queens, NY
• Syracuse, NY
• Fayetteville, NC
• Eugene, OR
• Roseburg, OR
• Altoona, PA
• Lebanon, PA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Mayaguez, PR
• San Juan, PR
• Aiken, SC
• Hot Springs, SD
• Johnson City, TN
• Memphis, TN
• Amarillo, TX
• Austin, TX
• Del Rio, TX
• Houston, TX
• Katy, TX
• Kerrville, TX
• Killeen, TX
• Lake Jackson, TX
• San Antonio, TX
• Temple, TX
• Waco, TX
• Hampton, VA
• Silverdale, WA
• Martinsburg, WV
• Milwaukee, WI
• Remote job
• Telework eligible
• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed
• Appointment type

Permanent -

Work schedule

Full-time -

Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential
• Job family (Series)

0630 Dietitian And Nutritionist

• Supervisory status
• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test
• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS) / Low Risk

Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability / Fitness

Announcement number

CBFF-12292650-24-SRC-OCA

Control number

774679000

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This job is open to

The public

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

Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens and past, current, or upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainees (HPTs).

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Duties

This is an open continuous announcement and scheduled to close on Monday, May 6th, 2024 or when no longer needed. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available for various locations as vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations but may later occur prior to the closing date.

Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

Duties listed below are for full performance level GS-11, developmental grade (GS-7 and GS-9) duties will differ in complexity and oversight.

• Conducts a 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 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.
• 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, as applicable.
• Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions, as applicable.
• 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 labs, diets, and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and / or nutrient utilization.
• Participates in the orientation and training of new staff (e.g., Food Service Employees, dietetic interns, clinical dietitians, etc.)

Work Schedule : Varies by location, to be discussed in the interview.

Compressed / Flexible : Varies by location, to be discussed in the interview.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : PD999630FS, 99630FS, 99631FS

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report : Not required

EDRP* Authorized for select* locations : Contact the local facility EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more

SELECT LOCATIONS* are eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

• Baltimore / Loch Raven, MD VA Medical Center
• Perry Point, MD VA Medical Center
• Martinsburg, WV VA Medical Center

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives MAY be authorized for SELECT locations

• Tifton, GA
• Perry, GA
• Dublin, GA
• Gainesville, FL
• Gaylord, MI
• Amarillo, TX
• Palm Desert, CA
• Murrieta, CA
• Loma Linda, CA
• Redlands, CA
• Prescott, AZ
• Hot Springs, SD

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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.
• 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.

Qualifications

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.
• 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).
• Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only : Dietitians who do not possess the RDN / RD credential. Non-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 credential.

• Non-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 equivalent. Foreign 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 RDN.

A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Current 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 requirements.

Grade Determinations :

GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical) (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical) (Developmental) - Experience / Education Requirement : In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) OR a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field.

Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement : In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN / RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation).
• Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
• Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
• Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

References : VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

Physical Requirements : The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work.

However, there is periodic walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as medical records, food trays, instructional material, books and manuals.

No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Close patient interaction and interaction with other medical personnel.

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 : https : / / sites.ed.gov / international / recognition-of-foreign-qualifications / .

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.

e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. 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 accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.

V., and / or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.

g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.

g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members : Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.