Dietitian (Clinical) - Home Based Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Orangeburg, SC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Columbia VA Healthcare System is hiring a Dietitian in the Clinical Section of Nutrition & Food Services to work with Home Based Primary Care (HBPC). The Dietitian serves as a medical nutrition expert, applies evidence-based guidelines to complex patients, and coordinates care with providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community resources. The role provides nutrition care in Veterans’ homes in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and portions of the Sumter, South Carolina, HBPC catchment areas.

The position conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, and develops, implements, monitors, and modifies Medical Nutrition Therapy. The Dietitian documents care in the medical record using the ADIME format, identifies patients who need nutritional support, collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team, and provides tailored nutrition education and counseling. The role also uses virtual care technology, maintains productivity and accurate clinical records, supports quality and safety improvement, leads implementation of new initiatives, and uses data to evaluate performance and initiate corrective actions.

This is a GS-11 full-performance-level position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ad hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. A current, valid, unrestricted driver's license is required to operate a government-owned vehicle for HBPC duties.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, or eligibility under the applicable grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• At least one year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the GS-09 level.
• Demonstrated skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process.
• Demonstrated skill in interpreting research and applying evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Demonstrated skill in developing patient-centered goals.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing data for performance-improvement studies.
• Demonstrated skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• Ability to comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Current, valid, unrestricted driver's license to operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, online onboarding, acceptable identification, and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive 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, evaluate and monitor its effectiveness and outcomes, and modify plans as needed.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.
• Maintain independent and accurate records and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Identify patients needing nutritional support, recommend the 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 for individuals and groups.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintain productivity standards and accurate records of daily clinical activities.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, high-quality Veteran care.
• Lead implementation activities for new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting-agency requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with food service staff and leadership to enhance the Veteran dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Service Section.
• Perform other related duties as assigned that are appropriate for the grade and assignment.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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