This employee serves as the clinical dietitian within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food servic.This individual will perform increasingly complex tasks as they acquire skills in clinical nutrition to apply evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community.

Duties

Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients. Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition. Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs. With an understanding of the patient's health condition, designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, physical activity, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutrition care plan. Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention. Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem. Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals, assisting in implementation of new initiatives, and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section. Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups Assists in achieving compliance with The Joint Commission, or other accrediting agency standards to continuously improve the safety and quality of care. Serves as the nutrition expert for medical staff on the nutritional management of patients. Performs other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the service and patients to include providing support / coverage for vacancies and leave. Grade Levels GS-7: Employees at this grade are closely supervised and competency in progressively complex tasks is monitored by supervisor. GS-9: It is expected that they receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members. Employees at this grade are under general supervision. Progressively complex tasks are monitored by supervisor. GS-11: Employees at this grade level serve as staff dietitians at the full performance level. Registered dietitians are responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutrition care activities (e.g., food service and/or clinical nutrition). Registered dietitians serve as important members of the interdisciplinary team of care providers and focus on offering exceptional nutrition care and guidance to optimize health. Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient centers, residential treatment programs and patient homes. They are responsible for using evidence-based approaches to develop menus, counsel patients and provide nutrition care. Work Schedule: Part-Time, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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). Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. 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. ~AND~ Completed an ACEND® accredited experiential or supervised practice program and 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 are located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. 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. IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING: GS-7 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-7 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - Basic knowledge of principles and practices of dietetics and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). - Ability to provide nutrition care utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to patients, family members and/or caregivers considering psycho-social issues and age-appropriate, evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. - Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with patients, family and/or caregiver, and other professional healthcare providers (e.g., tailoring to audience and use of medical terminology). - Ability to plan and organize work consisting of multiple tasks and priorities under direct supervision. - Basic knowledge of, and ability to use, current information technology operations, software, hardware, terminology, security requirements, and capabilities. - Knowledge of basic food production and service for various populations which incorporates principles of sanitation, safety, and menu planning 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 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. GS-9 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - Ability to plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility, 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 and document findings to evaluate staff, food, supplies, equipment, and service, in order to improve the efficiency of the operation. - Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics including NCP and MNT in order to plan, develop, and coordinate nutrition interventions, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities that promote Veteran health, wellness and lifestyle management. GS-11 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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. GS-11 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - Knowledge of best practices in the dietetics profession and in scientific literature, including knowledge of 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 relative to food service systems. - 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). - Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities. - Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Latasha Hill
• Phone: 708-539-6901
• Email: [email protected]