This Dietitian (Clinical - Home-based Primary Care) position is assigned to the Lee County Outpatient Clinic within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) in Cape Coral, FL, located 2 hours South of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

Duties

Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) role performing Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) services and are in a developmental position (GS-9 level) or serve as a full performance Dietitian serving as the medical nutrition expert (GS-11 level) within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Service (NFS). At full performance level, they are autonomous in their work in applying evidence based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians providing HBPC coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians providing HBPC collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction. Functions or scope of assigned duties include but are not limited to the following: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition focused physical examinations, to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition. Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions. Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes. Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format. Calculates nutrition requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team. Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s). Maintains productivity standards. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems. Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care. Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans. Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Uses data in the development of measures, data evaluation and initiation of corrective actions. Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, suport patient satisfaction and serve as a liason between clinical units and the Food Operations Section. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Travel: Expected to travel on Government-owned vehicle Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: 6+ days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 99501-S & 99502-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A Relocation/Recruitment incentive is offered to a highly qualified candidate Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be authorized to a highly qualified candidate Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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). English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7403 (f). Education. 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. 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. Registration. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or, Registered Dietitian (RD) - All applicants must hold the RDN/RD credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA)). Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position. (2) Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry in the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Dietitian (Clinical) GS-9 (Developmental Level) Experience or Education Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7) level which are: 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. OR, Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Dietitian (Clinical) GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9) level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in delivering patient care using the 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. *** Preferred Experience *** Previous VA experience Home Based Primary Care experience Experience with Geriatric population *** Must have valid driver's license, good driving record and also pass driving physical to be able to utilize and drive government vehicle.*** References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

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.

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

Contacts

• Address CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Jenniffer Marrero Diaz
• Phone: 407-751-8603
• Email: [email protected]