This Clinical Dietitian position is located within the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) at the VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia serving as a medical nutrition expert. This position is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Duties

Major Duties: Nutritional Care Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process for assigned patients. Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam. Calculates nutrient requirements and diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. Evaluates patterns and relationships among data and possible causes for nutrition problems. Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs. Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems. Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles. Actively supports veteran centric food service operations 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. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support. Orders labs, diets, and consults per Scope of Practice/Clinical privileges. Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions. Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record. Evaluates the effectiveness and measures progress toward outcomes of nutrition interventions Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups. Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors. Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient or family. Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug incompatibilities and counsels patient regarding the impact on nutrition status. Utilizes virtual care technology such as to improve access to nutrition care. Provides follow-up nutrition education in accordance with the patient's treatment goals. Participates in planning and education of home nutrition support. Functions as a clinical preceptor for the dietetic internship program. Assists in the education and oversight of dietetic students and interns. Completes MDS/Care plans timely. Participates in community projects and education. Serves on Health Education committees. Business Functions Maintains productivity standards. Practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks to ensure efficient workflow. Ensures completion of consult management tasks by reviewing assigned nutrition consults. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials and clinical forms. Assists in achieving compliance with The Joint Commission, or other accrediting agency standards. May assign and direct the workload of diet technicians or diet clerks. Participates in the orientation and training of new staff, Quality Improvement/Research Supports Performance Improvement activities. Contributes to a culture of safety by entering patient safety concerns. Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals. Participates in service-level strategic planning. Participates in peer review process. Stays abreast of current research in Nutrition related areas. Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team Serves as the nutrition expert for medical staff. Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team. Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. Coordinates care with colleagues in a variety of medical and home settings to meet the patient's needs. Conducts self in a manner that demonstrates adherence to standards of professional performance. Assists in patient discharge planning. Assists in the review and revision of the Diet Manual. Serves as a member of the VAMC inspection team for the state Veteran's homes, homeless shelters, and community nursing homes. Serves as a liaison with foodservice staff. Professional Development Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements. Interprets current clinical knowledge, standards of care, and research. Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, Rotating Weekends Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Dietitian (Clinical)/000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a). b. Registration. (1) All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference. Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential. (a) Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2) Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: a. Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below). b. 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 is located on the ACEND? website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. 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. (a) Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. (b) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. (c) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Preferred experience: eligible to pass/take national RD exam. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements in paragraph and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical): (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position. They 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 promotion. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals. They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction. GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical): (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): (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 stakeholders. Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position. They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP. They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives. Clinical 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. GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical): (1) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) In 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 authorities QUALIFICATIONS CONDITINUED UNDER THE "EDUCATION" TAB OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Education

QUALIFICATIONS CONDITINUED BELOW:
Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position. Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation), assuring high-quality nutrition care. They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping, autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care. They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS, lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders. Clinical 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 Section.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/80 PART II APPENDIX G20

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and does not require special physical demands. The incumbent sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be walking, prolonged standing, or carrying of light items such as manuals and files. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment. This position requires emotional ability to deal effectively with multi-tasking and high volume of patient flow.

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

Note: If your school was accredited by ACEND at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Accredited Programs Directory (eatrightpro.org) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

Contacts

• Address Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Jessica Krahe
• Phone: (724) 290-8372
• Email: [email protected]