This position serves as a Dietitian within the VISN 8 Sunshine Network, with the James A. Haley VA hospital. A Dietitian is a medical nutrition expert. They are responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Duties

This position will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in NFS directives, policies and procedures, and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The clinical dietitian may be scheduled and assigned to any nutrition practice area. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Comprehensive nutritional assessment for clients at nutritional risk adhering Conducts to the Nutrition Care Process. Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy for clients. Accurately obtains and interprets medical information pertinent to client's nutrition care. Completes nutrition focused physical exam as appropriate to determine client's nutrition risk. Calculates nutritional requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. Identifies clients in need of nutrition support. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessments of clients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition. Order labs, diets and consults per Scope of Practice. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups. Maintains productivity standards and practices. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials. Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards. Supports N&FS performance improvement activities. Tour of Duty: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday with rotating weekends and holidays Work Schedule: Full-Time Telework: May be able to telework. Virtual/Remote Work: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Registration (1) All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition & 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 &scientific with a positive education requirement &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. Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements & 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). 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 &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. Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level & may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it & the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation & may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties &responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, & legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education & registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment. GRADE DETERMINATION. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements in paragraph 3 a-f & all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 (Entry Level) (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position. They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission requirements & other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe & quality patient care. They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience & ensure patient satisfaction. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 (Developmental Level) (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. (3) Knowledge, Skills & Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of various accrediting regulatory requirements. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring &evaluation). Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Ability to develop patient-centered goals. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. (4) Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position. They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP. They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research & utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals & improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction &serve as a liaison between clinical units & the food service section. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 (Full performance level) (1) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills &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 &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 &agency authorities. (3) Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) full performance level position. Clinical Dietitians conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring & evaluation), assuring high-quality nutrition care. They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research &utilize whole health principles to develop patient- centered goals & improve outcomes. They collect & analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS, lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives & collaborate with stakeholders. Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section & leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience, support patient satisfaction & serve as a liaison between clinical units & the Food Service Section. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G20, Dietitian Qualification Standard, GS-630 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S &its territories must be evaluated by ACEND® & meet ACEND®'s International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge & competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Karen McKee
• Phone: 352-548-6000 X105242
• Email: [email protected]