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. He/she supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the client, the client's family and the community.

Duties

Clinical Assesses the nutritional status of HBPC referred outpatients. Utilizes the computer screen and assessment program according to established policy and procedure. Develops a nutritional assessment and care plan, taking into account patient interview information, anthropometrics, biochemical data, and clinical visual assessment according to prioritizing criteria. Develops nutrition plans and manages the complex nutritional needs of seriously ill and malnourished patients, applying knowledge in medical nutrition therapy in the presence of multiple comorbidities. Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and determines necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. Recommends and plans diet regimes for inpatients and provides nutritional supplement products based on their needs. Works closely with medical and pharmacy staff in the provision of nutritional supplement products to outpatients, such as those in home based primary care, and others with verified need. Writes outpatient nutritional supplement prescriptions following verification of need according to VISN20 Outpatient Nutritional Supplement policy. Performs necessary diet calculations, nutritive analysis, calorie counts, or diet modifications to promote optimal intake per individual needs. May require a therapeutic plan for specialized nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition for patients with complex medical and nutritional needs. Identifies patients in need of nutrition support and recommends the appropriate mode of nutrition support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessments of patients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition. Observes food intake at meal times and coordinates intake studies to assess patient's appetites, acceptance, and ability to eat. Monitors patient consumption of supplemental feedings and makes changes as needed. Documents patient care information in Cerner according to medical center/Nutrition and Food Service Section procedures and accepted professional practice. Functions as preceptor/trainer for dietetic students, providing them with a supervised internship to fulfill the requirements of the American Dietetic Association's training requirements for registered dietitians. Nutrition Education Coordinates both inpatient and outpatient nutrition education activities, including individual sessions, classes, and clinics. Plans, schedules, coordinates and/or conducts teaching programs for patients and /or caregivers: specific diet instructions are provided. Plans, organizes, implements and evaluates nutrition education for patients and families concerning patient's nutritional plan. Provides follow-up education for individual patients through nutrition clinic. Responsible for counseling and guiding the patient to an understanding of the nutritional aspects of his care. Modifies instructions with consideration of the patient's level of comprehension, cultural background, socio-economic needs and other factors that may influence the individual's ability to follow nutritional care plans outside the Medical Center. Works with department clinical staff in the review, development, and maintenance of patient education materials such as pamphlets, slides, posters, videos, and other teaching aids for the patients and staff. Business/ Administrative Functions: Assists in the development or revision of departmental policies and procedures. Participates in the development of performance standards for nutritional care and evaluates the quality and effectiveness of services provided. Utilizes available tools to help prioritize patient care (nutrition monitors, tickler file, and printed consults). Captures workload for both inpatient and outpatient areas using the Encounter Capture System in CPRS. Schedules patients for individual or group nutrition education sessions. Quality Improvement: Records and reports quality assurance data per HBPC Performance Improvement Program. Develops and completes nutritional projects, analyses, or studies as they relate to short and long range goals pertinent to HBPC program. Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, and Joint Commission standards. Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian: RDN and Registered Dietitian (RD) credentials are the same and both are qualifying. The difference between RDN and RD is in name only due to a change by the professional academy in 2014. In this standard, the term RDN will be used. Grade Determinations: 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: 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/154 PART II APPENDIX G20 II-G20-1 APPENDIX G20. DIETITIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0630 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Standing and Kneeling, .15 hours; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Operation of motor vehicle; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted) Environmental Factors: Outside and Inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others; and Working alone;

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.

Contacts

• Address Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Delilah Black
• Phone: 215-823-5800 X6491
• Email: [email protected]