The Registered Dietitian serves as the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Nutrition Specialist Dietitian for Northern Arizona Health Care System (NAVAHCS), as well as serves as a member of the interdisciplinary HBPC treatment team which is a specialized program under the administration of Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service Line, and provides direct services to adult and geriatric Veterans enrolled in the Prescott, Cottonwood, Flagstaff or Kingman locations.

Duties

The Dietitian is responsible for providing professional guidance and education in the medical nutrition care of HBPC patients for nursing and allied health. This is accomplished in collaboration with other members of the HBPC team or other interdisciplinary treatment teams as appropriate (i.e. Specialty Clinics, CLC Units, Primary Clinics, etc.).Patients served under the HBPC Program typically are those who have impaired mobility due to disability or functional limitation, inability to cope with the clinic environment due to cognitive, physical or psychiatric impairment, and the need for frequent coordinated interventions from multiple disciplines. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Initiates, develops and evaluates total nutrition care and education for HBPC patients. Assess physical, psychosocial and environmental factors in the patient's home which impact upon adequate nutrition intake and develops plans with the patient and caregiver to facilitate provision of adequate nutrition intake. Assists the patient and/or caregiver with menu planning, label reading and food selection. Demonstrates food preparation techniques in the home, emphasizing conservation of nutrients, aesthetic appeal and palatability. Assesses the patient's nutrition status and the need for oral nutrition supplements and total enteral nutrition therapy products and writes the prescriptions for same. Develops, organizes and implements nutrition education programs for patients and/or significant others including individual instruction, group classes as feasible and health promotion activities. Provides and participates in educational programs such as medical conferences, seminars and workshops. Assists in setting standards of care and is responsible to see that standards are met for the HBPC Program. Utilize dietetic computer programs to communicate patient care needs and administrative information effectively, and to assess pertinent information from the computer as necessary. Participate in clinical research and investigative studies in the HBPC program, including collecting data and preparing and publishing materials to improve nutrition care. Takes an active role in the HBPC performance improvement program, and in other programmatic activities such as policy/procedure review and goal setting. Performs other duties, as needed to meet the needs of the service. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Available -Possibility of telework, (will be ad hoc if any) as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 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) - 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. 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 conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals. They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction. GS-9 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.(b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.(c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).(d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.(e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals.(f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.(g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Assignments. 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 and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section. GS-11 Experience. At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).(b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.(c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals.(d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.(e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.(f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. 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 and evaluation), assuring high-quality nutrition care. They apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient- centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They are accountable for independent and accurate record keeping, autonomous coverage of daily clinical activities and efficiently completing patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians are knowledgeable of and ensure work accomplishments comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards and ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care. They collect and analyze data related to performance improvement activities within NFS, lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders. Clinical Dietitians frequently collaborate with the food service section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 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-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Use of fingers Both hands required Walking 4 hours, Standing 3 hours, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Hearing (aid permitted).

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.

NOTE: If your didactic program in dietetics was accredited by Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the the above website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Bob Stump VA Medical Center 500 Highway 89 North Prescott, AZ 86313 US
• Name: Queen Dimas
• Phone: 562-826-8000
• Email: [email protected]