The Dietitian Clinical Nutrition is the supervisor for the clinical section of Nutrition & Food Service, Home Based Primary Care Service & directs a comprehensive nutritional program involving care of Veterans in their homes. They are responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, & evaluating clinical nutrition & nutritional education programs. Supports facility mission & coordinates clinical nutrition activities with other services & units, clinics, & local community.

Duties

Clinical: Clinical manager must be able to perform all duties of subordinate clinical dietitians in HBPC services. Functions as a professional and technical advisor to clinical staff, other allied healthcare professionals, program directors, and managers throughout the medical center/facility. Develops, and implements nutrition therapy programs specific to all HBPC nutritional care. Ensures that materials utilized in patient education are based on current literature, practice, and research. Supports and/or participates in clinical research studies performed with HBPC. Keeps abreast of current scientific, technological, theoretical, and treatment modality changes, as well as management theory, relating to the provision of nutrition care. Develops and implements nutrition care protocols using principles of evidence-based practice to establish and/or improve nutrition care guidelines. Evaluates the care given to patients to assure compliance with standards. Reviews and prioritizes work based on productivity guidelines of the department and VHACO. Management/Administrative: Directs the provision of nutrition therapy by supervising the activities of clinical dietitians and dietetic technicians, which includes nutrition screening, assessment, monitoring, and education. Develops and implements nutrition care policies and guidelines for compliance with all regulatory agency requirements (i.e., The Joint Commission (JC), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)) and specific Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines. Participates and assists Assistant Chief, Clinical Section with the Clinical Performance Improvement Program to ensure provision of high-quality nutrition care and improved outcomes. Prepares and submits reports to staff and management. Participates on Peer Reviews of electronic medical records of patients to substantiate that clinical staff meet established guidelines of care that meet the needs of patients. Develops position descriptions or functional statements and determines the level of competency necessary to meet mandatory job requirements. Develops performance standards and competency statements. Conducts performance reviews and competency assessments. Evaluates performance of dietitians and dietetic technicians and uses the incentive award process to recognize staff for performance awards or special contributions. Supports and/or implements clinical enhancements of computer/software programs. Collects data for preparation of the annual report for submission to VA Central Office. Prepares and submits a variety of clinical and administrative reports, as required. Conducts staffing and productivity studies to ensure effective manpower utilization. Assures that clinical encounters and workload statistics are maintained. Adjusts staff assignments/schedules accordingly. Recruits, interviews, and recommends selection of new clinical staff. Recommends and initiates disciplinary counseling and actions for subordinates, as guided by Human Resources Management, Union contracts, and N&FS policy. Develops strategic planning goals and objectives for the clinical program and proposes nutrition policy changes regarding patient treatment and healthcare issues related to the provision of nutrition therapy. Supports and/or participates in clinical research studies performed in the medical center and assures all research-related projects by the registered dietitian are in compliance with the regulations of the facility's Institutional Review Board. Education: Implements and coordinates a continuing staff development program. Ensures that all clinical nutrition staff meets mandatory and continuing education requirements to assure maintenance of registration status through the Commission on Dietetic Registration and to maintain scope of practice. Supports employee development by encouraging participation in promotional activities, acquiring experience in specialty areas and/or board certification. Supports the goals and objectives of Dietetic Training Programs and provides a positive learning experience for dietetic students, as well as other medical center trainees and students. Mentors clinical staff in presenting and/or publishing articles, abstracts, or results of research studies in professional journals or at professional meetings. Work Schedule: Full Time Monday-Friday 0800am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Supervisory Dietitian (Clinical Nutrition)/FS000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). Registration. 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. 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: GS-12: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of accrediting requirements in clinical nutrition to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements. (b) Skill as a nutrition expert to provide technical guidance, direction and staff development. (c) Skill in Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines to develop, implement and coordinate best practices. (d) Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems. (e) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance). (f) Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources. Preferred Experience: Master's Degree in Nutrition or Health Care Administration 1 year clinical management 2-5 years nutrition clinical practice References: VA Handbook 5005/154, Part II, Appendix G20, dated October 14, 2022. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 lbs), use of fingers, near vision and mental/emotional stability is required, operate a motor vehicle, hearing (aid permitted), Environmental Factors include slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working closely with others and independently, and sit for extended periods at computer screen for majority of the work day.

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.

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

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]