Dietitian (Clinical) TeleMOVE

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, SC

9d • 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 collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction. This position works with the TeleMOVE Weight Management Program.

The role involves conducting nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), developing and implementing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), monitoring and evaluating interventions, and modifying care plans to achieve positive outcomes. Dietitians document MNT in the medical record using the ADIME format, calculate nutrient requirements, account for diet restrictions and food-drug interactions, and identify patients who may need nutritional support. They participate in interdisciplinary meetings, provide tailored nutrition education and counseling, maintain records and productivity standards, and complete documentation within established time frames.

Clinical Dietitians also support safe, high-quality care through continuous improvement activities, implementation of new initiatives, data evaluation, corrective actions, and compliance with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards. The position is developmental, with increasingly complex tasks performed under general supervision, and includes using virtual care technology and approved systems to document clinical activities and patient encounters. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available as determined by agency policy; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• United States citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• At least one year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the GS-09 level for qualification at GS-11.
• Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Skill in interpreting research and applying 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 accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Ability to complete a background/security investigation and required onboarding steps.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Ability to serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing nutritional care for acute, complex, and critical care conditions, including enteral and total parenteral nutrition and hemodialysis, using the Nutrition Care Process.
• Ability to apply motivational interviewing techniques to support patient accountability for care plans and education interventions.
• Ability to teach inpatients about continuous glucose monitors, interpret monitor readings, and adjust meal patterns for blood glucose control.
• Ability to provide coverage in settings such as acute psychiatry and community living centers.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary team members, including primary care providers, food operations teams, nursing, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, and pharmacy.
• Ability to precept dietetic interns, provide timely feedback, and evaluate progress toward competency requirements.
• Ability to serve as a resource to students, including residents and attending physicians in training.
• Ability to resolve conflicts constructively and foster effective work relationships.
• Ability to contribute to projects that promote dietetics within the medical center and community, including special projects and community service.

Responsibilities

• Conduct nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish diagnoses and assess malnutrition risk or severity.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy to address nutrition diagnoses; monitor and evaluate effectiveness and outcomes, and modify care plans as needed.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in medical records using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and determine appropriate diet restrictions, prescriptions, and food-drug interaction considerations.
• Identify patients who 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.
• Complete documentation within established time frames and maintain accurate records of clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems.
• Maintain productivity standards.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, quality Veteran care; lead activities to implement new initiatives, use data to develop and evaluate measures, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards.
• Collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences, support patient satisfaction, and act as a liaison between clinical units and food service.
• Collect data for Nutrition and Food Services performance improvement activities and assist in implementing new initiatives.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Perform other related duties as assigned that are appropriate for the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed