The Clinical Dietician supports the facility's mission by coordinating nutritional care with other healthcare providers, veterans, caregivers, and the community. This position is responsible for being a medical nutrition expert within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS). As an autonomous team member, the Clinical Dietitian applies evidenced-based nutrition guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Duties

The VA Medical Center in Huntington, WV, seeks a Clinical Dietitian to join its Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) team. As a medical nutrition expert, this role involves practicing dietetics per NFS directives, policies and procedures, and VA regulations. The clinical dietitian may be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area. Major Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs Supporting the facility's mission and coordinating nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community requiring expertise in a wide range of disease entities and treatment modalities. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems. Diagnosing nutrition problems and the nutrition ramifications of disease entities and medical treatment modalities Using assessment methodologies such as identifying physical signs of malnutrition, drug/nutrient interactions and depletions, and assessment of intake and nutrient losses Performing other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30 am to 4 pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Authorized Telework schedules: Not authorized Virtual work schedules: Not authorized FLSA: Exempt BU Status: Bargaining Unit Recruitment Incentives: NOT authorized Relocation Expenses: NOT authorized Financial Disclosure Report: NOT required Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses: will not be paid PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years' vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). For More Information on Benefits: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Benefits/EmploymentBenefits Competitive Federal benefits: Job security- Stability Career advancement and priority in hiring as a Federal employee Federal Retirement Survivor Benefits Military buy back toward retirement Leave Benefits: AL (13-26 days), SL (13 days), Paid Federal Holidays (11 days) , Paid Parental Leave 12 wks. FEHB lowest cost FEGLI low cost Flexible Spending accounts Pre-taxed Federal Long Term Care Insurance TSP matching 5% and Pre-tax contributions Child Care subsidy And more?

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of education 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. Education and Supervised Practice: Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE). OR Completed an ACEND-accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences that meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND, formally known as CADE. Completion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice program. Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience. Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of a didactic program, dietetic internship, or coordinated program requirements. The completion of ACEND didactic program requirements and at least a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent are necessary for eligibility to enter an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. Registration/Certification. All applicants 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). English Language Proficiency. Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) Physical Requirements. See Below 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. For the GS-7 Dietitian (Entry Level) position, the candidate should have no further experience or education beyond the basic requirements, as employees at this grade level serve in a developmental position. Apart from the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Basic knowledge of dietetics and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) principles and practices. Ability to provide nutrition care to patients, family members, and/or caregivers using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) while considering psycho-social issues and age-appropriate, evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Ability to communicate effectively with patients, family members, caregivers, and other professional healthcare providers, both orally and in writing, using medical terminology and tailoring the communication to the audience. Ability to plan and organize work consisting of multiple tasks and priorities under direct supervision. Basic knowledge of current information technology operations, software, hardware, terminology, security requirements, capabilities, and ability to use them. Knowledge of basic food production and service for various populations, which incorporates sanitation, safety, and menu planning principles within a healthcare environment. Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, and the ability to execute existing education and training activities for Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) employees. GS-9 Dietitian (Developmental Level), applicants must meet the following requirements: Experience or Education: At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level OR Two full years of graduate education at an accredited university in dietetics or a closely related field. In addition to the experience/education requirements, applicants must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Ability to plan and organize work under general supervision. Knowledge of various food preparation and delivery systems within a healthcare environment. Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, training materials, and resources and the ability to develop and conduct education and training programs for NFS employees. Ability to participate in research studies and conduct performance improvement studies to evaluate staff, food, supplies, equipment, and service to improve the operation's efficiency. Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics, including NCP and MNT, to plan, develop, and coordinate nutrition interventions, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities to promote Veteran health, wellness, and lifestyle management. GS-11 Dietitian (Full Performance Level), applicant must have Experience or Education: At least one year of experience as a registered dietitian or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. Apart from the above experience, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of best practices in dietetics and scientific literature, including research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies. Knowledge of computer software programs relating to food service systems. For clinical nutrition positions, candidates must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings to develop, implement, and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation). Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities. Ability to consult healthcare providers, including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: light lifting under 15 pounds, light carrying under 15 pounds, use of fingers, walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), hearing (aid permitted), other-good distant vision in one eye, and ability to read printed material size of typewritten material, glasses permitted. Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in a patient care setting; adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically; involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as clinics, offices, meeting and training rooms or libraries; exposure to noise and dust on occasion. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures

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.

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

Contacts

• Address Huntington VA Medical Center 1540 Spring Valley Drive Huntington, WV 25704 US
• Name: James Williams III
• Phone: 410-605-7000
• Email: [email protected]