Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.

Duties

Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition focused physical examinations, to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition. Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions. Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes. Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient. Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format. Functions independently and accurately when record keeping. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team. Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s). Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care. Maintains productivity standards Maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounter using approved systems. Ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans. Lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Use data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions. Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri , Tour TBD Telework: Authorized Virtual: This is a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Dietitian (Clinical) GS 0630-7/9/11 (99531-S/99530-S/99529-S) 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

Health Professional Trainee 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. English Language Proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Graduate from a baccalaureate degree program from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent, and fulfilled each of the following criteria: (a) 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). (b) 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. NOTE: 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. Currently or will 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). NOTE: GS-7 and GS-9 Only: Applicants pending CDR registration may be referred, selected and temporarily appointed for up to two years until all requirements are met. At the GS-11 or higher, applicants pending CDR registration may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until they are registered. Grade Level Determinations: GS-07 Dietitian (Entry Level) Experience or Education: You meet the basic requirements that are listed above which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 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-09 Dietitian (Developmental) Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess one of the following which includes demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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 Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) that provide nutrition care in clinical or food service management dietitian position. ~OR~ Education: Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or master's degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. GS-11 Clinical Dietitian Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you possess one of the following which includes demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. 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 Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) that provide independent planning, developing, and directing nutritional care activities. ~OR~ Education: 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience as a dietitian in a clinical setting. References: VA Handbook 5005,Part II, Appendix G20 Dietitian Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirement essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Curtis Jackson
• Email: [email protected]