Advanced Level Practice Dietitian conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) assuring high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice. Advanced Level Practice Dietitians are the subject matter experts in advanced clinical nutrition and uses knowledge, expertise, principles and/or current research to lead dietitians and nutrition specialty care teams to plan, implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives.

Duties

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Leads dietitians and specialty multidisciplinary teams in developing nutrition related services, policies, procedures and/or protocols. Provides comprehensive medical nutritional care applying the NCP in a specialty program, and/or a variety of patient care settings. Bases individualized nutrition interventions on the best available research and/or evidence-based guidelines and best practices. Provides nutrition education to individuals, small and large groups, peers, licensed practitioner(s), medical students, interns, and residents as applicable. Provides consultative services regarding advanced therapies, policies, procedures, and research in the provision of quality nutritional care. Develops, monitors, and directs practice-specific benchmarks based on standards of care or national initiatives. Utilizes knowledge, expertise, principles and/or current research to plan, implement and evaluate organizational initiatives. Leads the implementation of new nutrition initiatives or a change in practice to achieve strategic goals. Establishes goals, measures outcomes and reports progress toward meeting goals to medical center committees, health care teams and/or professional groups. Leads staff, creates, and validates competencies and develops training activities. Leads nutrition research studies or performance improvement and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations and/or peer-reviewed professional publications. Presents at seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday 07:30 am to 04:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 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. 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)). Education and Supervised Practice The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria: 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). Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which 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 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. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Advanced Level Practice Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Credentials: Advanced level practice dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)). Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. An advanced level practice dietitian in nutrition support, renal, oncology, geriatric, or diabetes nutrition specialties oversees the nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high risk patients. The dietitian provides consultant services to VHA staff, conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnosis which may include the nutrition focused physical exam. The individual coordinates education programs for facility staff and serves as an education resource, instructing physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, interns, residents, and students on the current research and practice in the specialty area; maintains productivity standards, manages clinical resources, and conducts and/or participates in nutrition research studies and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and publications. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1. *Ability to develop, maintain, and supervise a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies to assure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities. 2. *Knowledge of the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and objectives, administer and monitor program, evaluate program outcomes/accomplishments, set and redefine priorities, and implement effective solutions in processes/systems as needed. 3. Ability to act as a consultant for staff. 4. Ability to mentor and educate peers and other multidisciplinary team members in complex issues, procedures and practices. 5. Ability to make presentations on topics regarding food, nutrition and health issues. 6. Ability to make high level decisions with a focus on delivering patient care and achieving program outcomes. 7. Ability to contribute to evidence analysis process to affect practice and identify and create new practice opportunities. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Education

• Education and Supervised Practice
  • The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria:
    • 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).
    • Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which 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 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.

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 San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Maria Quiles
• Phone: (352) 278 - 0482
• Email: [email protected]