The Advanced Level Practice Dietitian, at the VA Medical Center in West Haven Connecticut will conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and assuring high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice.

Duties

The Advanced Level Practice Dietitians are the 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 plan, implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives. Duties include but not limited to: Leads dietitians and specialty 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, abstract, presentations and/or peer-reviewed professional publications. Presents at seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule:40 hours a week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 4:30pm, EST, (3) Positions- { (2) Outpatient and (1) Inpatient Position}. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 99523-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. NOTE: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. Current Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Education and Supervised Practice: The individual 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:(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. Registration/Certification. All applicants 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). English Language Proficiency. Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) (a) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Credentials. Advanced level practice dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)). (c) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. An advanced level practice dietitian in nutrition support, renal, oncology, geriatric, or diabetes nutrition specialties oversees the nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high risk patients. The dietitian provides consultant services to VHA staff, conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnosis which may include the nutrition focused physical exam. The individual coordinates education programs for facility staff and serves as an education resource, instructing physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, interns, residents, and students on the current research and practice in the specialty area; maintains productivity standards, manages clinical resources, and conducts and/or participates in nutrition research studies and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and publications. (d) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities. (2) Skill in utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes. (3) Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures. (4) Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development. (5) Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies. (6) Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care. Preferred Experience: The position requires a CDR-approved specialty certification and a minimum of 25% of time involved in higher-level nutritional work (i.e. leading nutrition initiatives, creating training for staff, leading multidisciplinary teams). References: VA Handbook 5005/80 Part II, Appendix G-20 The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. The position requires intermittent walking and standing for up to 50% of the tour. Carrying normal amounts or written/reference materials is routinely done. Occasionally, duties may require the movement of audio-visual equipment charts and arrangement of classroom areas. Some of the work is sedentary, involving nutritional plans, research and reports. Use of computer keyboard and mouse to access patient data and record patient encounters is a frequent part of the work and happens intermittently during the day.

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/.

Contacts

• Address West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Emily Wayne-Lane
• Phone: 781-687-2000 (6764)
• Email: [email protected]