Advanced Level Practice Dietitian's conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) assuring high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice. They serve as 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 implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives.

Duties

Dietitians within VHA are fully integrated into a health care team and work within a variety of settings, including but not limited to inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, food operations and community clinics. Dietitians in a clinical setting are responsible for utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) framework to provide patient-centered care using evidenced-based guidelines to make decisions. Dietitians in the food service setting are responsible for the scientific preparation and service of high-quality food by selection, requisition, receipt, storage, issuance and transportation of food and supplies. They ensure robust and effective sanitation, safety, competency and training programs. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Leads dietitians and speciality 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 nutrition information on new and changing concepts. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Supervisory Controls: The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Dietitian GS 12 or above, who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent functions independently for all professional and technical aspects of clinical nutrition. They are responsible for planning and organizing their own work, coordinating with staff and management personnel as appropriate. Assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgement and interpretation. Work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with VHA procedures and practices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99523S 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. 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). 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: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification. Must hold an advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or the National Board of Nutrition Certification. The certification must be directly related to the assignment being filled. For example, where the assignment requires diabetes management, a Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certification is qualifying. Commonly held certifications include Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition; Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist-Advanced Practitioner; Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience and certification above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities. Skill in utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes. Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures. Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development. Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies. Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care. Preferred Experience: Must have CNSC credential-at least 1 year of clinical practice References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: VA HANDBOOK 5005/154 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: 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 Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Heather Addison
• Phone: 260-440-0885
• Email: [email protected]