This position is within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) serving as the medical nutrition expert in the area of Women's Health. The clinical dietitian will provide outpatient care while applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all women Veterans in Altoona and Community Based Outpatient Clinic patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Duties

The clinical dietitian for women's health is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans throughout the lifecycle, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The clinical dietitian supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. Major Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Conducts nutrition assessments for patients 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 Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, communicating 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) Maintains productivity standards Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems Participates in service-level strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives, policies, procedures, and goals Supports service-level performance improvement activities to include development of measures, data collection, data evaluation, and initiation corrective actions Complies with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm EST Telework: Available (Discussed during interview) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Dietitian (Clinical) 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). 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. Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements in paragraph 3 a-f and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07: (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09: (1) Experience. At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. 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. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11. (1) Experience. At least one (1) year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. 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. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a registered dietitian References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

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 James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 US
• Name: Carolyn Graham
• Phone: 724-285-2790
• Email: [email protected]