The HBPC Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned clients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The HBPC Clinical Dietitian is responsible for using evidence-based approaches to counsel patients and to provide exceptional nutrition care to optimize health.

Duties

The HBPC Clinical Dietitian will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics with minimal supervision in accordance with the guidance set forth in facility policies and procedures and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The HBPC Clinical Dietitian may be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area based on the needs of the GEC service, and must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions: Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment for patients at nutritional risk. Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Accurately obtains and interprets medical information pertinent to the patient's nutritional care to determine risk, assess nutritional status and develop individual specialized care plans to simultaneously address several disease processes. Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary dietary restrictions or food/drug interactions. Diet prescribed is tailored to each individual client according to physical and metabolic needs and designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutritional care plan. Develops a therapeutic plan for specialized nutritional support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition for patients with complex medical and nutritional needs. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and makes appropriate recommendations. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessments of patients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition. Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns. Orders labs, diets and consults per Scope of Practice/clinical privileges. Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of medical nutrition therapy interventions. Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan as appropriate. Documents nutritional care plan in the patient's medical record, medical nutrition therapy initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, discharge planning and malnutrition. Documentation supports an interdisciplinary approach and continuity of care. Assesses the adequacy of the caregiver's capacity to prepare recommended meals. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition 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. Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutritional education materials and counseling techniques to client's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions. Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community or home health service as appropriate. Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns. Plans learning experiences, teaches, and evaluates performance. Participates in community projects and education as needed/assigned. Documents in the medical record, the education materials provided, the care plan determined by the provider and the client, an assessment of the client's comprehension level to the education given and the expected compliance. Schedules veteran for education classes using the electronic VistA Scheduling package according to procedures and directives governing the scheduling of veterans for appointments. Serves on station committees as assigned. Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritizing of tasks. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols. Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, and Joint commission standards. Participates in the orientation and training of new dietitians as necessary. Protects confidentiality of patient information. Completes special projects as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. (2) 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). i 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. ii 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. (b) 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. (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grandfathering Provision. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07. Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09. Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.OR Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11. Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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. Preferred Experience: Geriatric Experience, specialization HBPC Experience, or equivalent of at least 1 year Independent experience for at least 1 years References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/154 PART II APPENDIX G20. DIETITIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0630 Veterans Health Administration October 14, 2022 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: Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Hearing (aid permitted), Emotional and Mental Stability, Sit for extended periods; Performs Independently; Cognitive Stability

Education

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

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND ACEND (eatrightpro.org) or at Program Directory (eatrightpro.org).

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.

NOTE: If your didactic program in dietetics was accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the the above website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND ACEND (eatrightpro.org) or at Program Directory (eatrightpro.org).

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]