Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Dallas, TX

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Clinical Dietitians in Nutrition and Food Services serve as medical nutrition experts and coordinate Veterans’ nutritional care with healthcare providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community partners. At the full performance level, they work autonomously, applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines to patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. They interpret research and use whole-health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. They also collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve the Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction.

The role includes conducting comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), identifying nutrition diagnoses and malnutrition risk, and developing, implementing, monitoring, and adjusting Medical Nutrition Therapy plans. Dietitians calculate individualized nutrient requirements, consider diet modifications and food-drug interactions, document care in ADIME format, identify nutrition-support needs, and provide individual and group education and counseling. They use virtual-care technology to improve access to nutrition services.

Dietitians participate in interdisciplinary care, communicate recommendations to providers and care teams, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations. They maintain accurate clinical records, support continuous improvement in care quality and safety, lead or assist with new initiatives, use data to evaluate outcomes and performance, initiate corrective actions, comply with accreditation standards, and meet productivity standards. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), except for the specified GS-07/GS-09 temporary appointment pathway for eligible non-credentialed dietitians.
• For the specified non-credentialed GS-07/GS-09 pathway: 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 exam.
• For GS-09: at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
• GS-09 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology; ability to deliver patient care using the NCP, apply evidence-based nutrition practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect data for performance-improvement studies, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate skill in delivering patient care using the NCP, interpreting research and applying evidence-based nutrition practices, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, and collaborating with stakeholders; and ability to comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation and completion of online onboarding and pre-employment identification 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 of continued employment.
• For education-based qualification, submit transcripts; only education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used. Foreign education requires the applicable equivalency documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with nutrition support.
• Experience in an outpatient clinical setting.
• Experience working with inspectors.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations.
• Identify nutrition diagnoses and determine malnutrition risk and severity.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and adjust Medical Nutrition Therapy plans.
• Calculate individualized nutrient requirements and consider diet modifications and potential food-drug interactions.
• Document care using the ADIME format and maintain accurate records of clinical activities and patient encounters.
• Identify patients requiring nutrition support and make appropriate recommendations.
• Provide individualized and group nutrition education and counseling.
• Use virtual-care technology to improve access to nutrition services.
• Participate in interdisciplinary healthcare team meetings and communicate nutrition recommendations to providers and care teams.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to enhance Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction; serve as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Support continuous improvement in the safety and quality of Veteran care.
• Lead or assist with implementation of new programs and initiatives.
• Use data to measure outcomes and evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards.
• Maintain established productivity standards.

Benefits

• The job announcement describes a comprehensive federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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