Dietitian (Clinical) TeleMOVE

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, SC

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Clinical Dietitians coordinate Veterans’ nutritional care with other health care providers, Veterans, caregivers, and the community. They interpret research and apply whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. They also collaborate with Food Operations to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction.

This position is in the TeleMOVE Weight Management program within Nutrition and Food Services. Depending on grade and assignment, the Dietitian conducts nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), monitors outcomes, adjusts care plans, documents using the ADIME format, calculates nutrition requirements and diet restrictions, and identifies patients who may need nutritional support. The position also provides individualized and group nutrition education, participates in interdisciplinary meetings, maintains clinical records and productivity, and completes patient encounters using approved systems.

At the full-performance level, the Dietitian applies evidence-based practices, interprets research, uses virtual care technology, analyzes performance-improvement data, leads implementation of initiatives, collaborates with stakeholders, and supports continuous improvement in safe, high-quality care. The role complies with Joint Commission and other accrediting standards and may include other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is available as determined by agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The full-performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-07 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, except that eligible non-credentialed candidates may be considered for a full-time temporary appointment of up to one year at GS-07 or GS-09 under the stated conditions.
• For the non-credentialed GS-07/GS-09 exception: a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution 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 exam.
• For GS-09: at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-07, or a master's degree in dietetics or a closely related field; qualifications must demonstrate the stated knowledge and abilities, including use of the NCP, evidence-based nutrition practice, patient-centered goals, data collection for performance improvement, collaboration, regulatory knowledge, and virtual technology for nutrition care.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RD/RDN equivalent to GS-09, demonstrating the stated skills in the NCP, evidence-based practice, research interpretation, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Foreign degrees must meet the stated ACEND evaluation requirements when used to qualify; foreign education used for qualification must be supported by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete application requirements specified in the announcement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Physical requirements are governed by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Conduct nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish nutrition diagnoses and determine malnutrition risk or degree.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy to address nutrition diagnoses, monitor effectiveness and outcomes, and modify interventions as needed.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in the medical record using the ADIME format and complete documentation within established time frames.
• Calculate nutrition requirements, diet restrictions, and food or drug interactions, tailoring diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Identify patients who may need nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate recommendations to the health care team.
• Participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assess educational needs and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups.
• Maintain productivity standards and accurate records of daily clinical activities; complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Promote continuous improvement in safe, quality Veteran care and comply with Joint Commission and other accrediting requirements.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, initiate corrective actions, and lead activities implementing new initiatives at the full-performance level.
• Collaborate with Food Operations or Food Service, clinical units, leadership, and other stakeholders to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to nutrition care.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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