The position is based out of the Nutrition & Food Services division and is a Clinical Dietitian for the Eating Disorder program. The clinical dietitian is responsible for independently planning, developing & directing all nutritional care actions for veterans, including those with complex medical & nutritional needs. The position coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver & the community.

Duties

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. He/she works with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient's needs are being met when an alternative form of nutrition management (enteral/parenteral nutrition) is determined to be necessary. This position will focus on providing nutritional care for patients with Eating Disorders, as the RD on the multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Team. The RD will also provide support to other nutrition programs. Major duties: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for patients at nutritional risk per Nutrition Care Processes (NCP) Guidelines. Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition and documents in the medial record. Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Completes MDS on occasion. Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions. Conducts regular meal observations to ensure the accuracy, palatability, and appropriateness of food served. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns. Orders labs, diets, supplements, and consults per scope of Practice/Policy Order Authorization Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions. Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, nutrition diagnosis, medical nutrition therapy initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, and discharge planning. Works cooperatively with Nutrition and Food Services and Medical Center staff to ensure conformance to diet prescriptions. 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. Provides nutrition education and counseling to individual in a variety of settings for nutrition related problems, preventive health measures and chronic disease management. As necessary, 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 nutrition 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 services 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 all nutrition education in the medical record according to facility policy. Serves on committees as assigned. Work Schedule: Varies Compressed/Flexible:May be Authorized Telework: Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99529S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - 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). Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English Education Requirements: Must have earned a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following Must have 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); AND Must have completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program Registration/Certification Requirements: 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) Grade Determinations:GS-11 Grade level: Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level, 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice. 2. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities. 3. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies. 4. Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems. 5. Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). 6. Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities. 7. Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Light lifting (up to 15 pounds),light carrying (up to 15 pounds), reaching above shoulders, walking (4 hours), standing, hearing (aid permitted), sitting 3-4 hours intermittently, hand and eye coordination.

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 Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 US
• Name: Ronald Thurow
• Phone: 414-712-8262
• Email: [email protected]