Clinical Dietitian

Veterans Health Administration • Marion, IL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian provides nutrition care to Veterans at developmental grades GS-07 and GS-09 and at the full-performance grade GS-11. The role uses the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) to assess nutrition needs, establish diagnoses, deliver Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and monitor outcomes. The dietitian may work independently or under supervision depending on grade, and collaborates with the healthcare team, Food Operations or Food Service Section, and department leadership to improve patient care and the Veterans’ dining experience.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position, though virtual-care technology is used to improve access to nutrition care. The full-performance level is GS-11. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility requirements and approval; the stated award may be up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Applicants must meet the applicable education, registration, experience, and competency requirements for the grade. Non-credentialed dietitians may only be considered for a full-time temporary appointment of up to one year at GS-07 or GS-09 under the stated conditions, and may not be promoted or converted until they obtain the RDN credential. Employment includes a one- or two-year trial period, and selected applicants must meet federal hiring and onboarding conditions.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD), except for eligible non-credentialed applicants at GS-07 or GS-09 under the specified temporary-appointment conditions.
• For the non-credentialed GS-07/GS-09 exception: a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent, and completion of an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program with a verification statement establishing eligibility to take the CDR registration examination.
• GS-07: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-09: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master's degree in dietetics or a closely related field; must demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities in regulatory requirements, virtual nutrition-care technology, NCP-based care, evidence-based practice, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data collection, and stakeholder collaboration.
• GS-11: At least one year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade; must demonstrate the listed skills in NCP-based care, research interpretation and evidence-based practice, patient-centered goal development, performance-improvement data analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Successful completion of a background/security investigation and online onboarding; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Meet the physical requirements referenced in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Conduct nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish diagnoses and determine risk or degree of malnutrition.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy to address nutrition diagnoses, evaluate and monitor intervention effectiveness and outcomes, and modify plans as needed.
• Identify patients needing nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate with the healthcare team.
• Assess educational needs and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Use virtual-care technology to improve access to nutrition care, as applicable to the grade and assignment.
• Comply with Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards to support safe, high-quality patient care and continuous improvement.
• Collect or analyze data for Nutrition and Food Services performance-improvement activities and assist with implementing initiatives, as applicable to the grade.
• Collaborate with Food Operations or Food Service staff and department leadership to enhance Veterans’ dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and liaise between clinical units and food services.
• Apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpret research, and use whole-health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval, with a stated award of up to $200,000 and eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level