The Dietitian (Clinical) position is located within the Clinical Section of the Nutrition and Food service at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. The Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned clients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Duties

The Dietitian (Clinical) at the full performance level of the GS-11. Duties include: 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. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems. Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of veterans. Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives. Uses 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 Sections. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM 3:30 PM. Work schedule will be discussed at interview. Telework: Available, will be discussed at interview. Functional Statement #: PD99529S Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as a Dietitian. United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English: proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 USC 7402(d), 404 (d) Registration: 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 requirements (e.g., bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement. Copy of RDN registration required at time of application. Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2). Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university, or foreign equivalent (refer to the below titled foreign education). Transcripts Required 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. Statement required at time of application. Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the US 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. Evaluation required at time of application. Exception. Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-7 or GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential and must provide care under the supervision of a RDN oat or above the full performance level. Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitians will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements GS-9 (Developmental Level): Experience or Education. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) or master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in a field of dietetics or closely related field. Transcripts Required. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of various accrediting nd regulatory requirement. 2. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care. 3. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). 4. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. 5. Ability to develop patient-centered goals. 6. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies. 7. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience of Education. At least 1 year of experience as a RDN equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9). Note: RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics required at the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluations). Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Skill in developing patient-centered goals. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. Grade Determinations: 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. References: VA Handbook 5005/154, Part II, Appendix G20, Dietitian Qualification Standards, dated October 14,2022. 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.

Education

Education Requirement: Must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria: Transcript Required


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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Felicia Davis
• Phone: 312-569-8107
• Email: [email protected]