Dietitian-Clinical Home Based Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Cody, WY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-performance clinical dietitian position provides Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) within the Nutrition and Food Service Clinical Section and serves as a medical nutrition expert. The dietitian independently applies evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines to patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs, and coordinates nutrition care with other healthcare providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community partners. The role uses research and whole-health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. It also collaborates with Food Operations to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction.

The position uses the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to assess, diagnose, treat, monitor, and evaluate nutrition needs. It documents Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in the medical record using the ADIME format, maintains accurate clinical records and productivity, and uses virtual-care technology to improve access. The dietitian contributes to quality and safety improvement, new initiatives, data evaluation and corrective actions, and compliance with Joint Commission and other accrediting standards. The role may include other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; a compressed tour is available. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized. The full-performance grade is GS-11; selection may be at GS-07 through GS-11. EDRP may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program approval and application requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated statutory exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A current, valid, unrestricted driver’s license to operate a government-owned vehicle for HBPC duties.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Applicants without the RDN credential may qualify for a temporary, full-time appointment of up to one year if they have a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent and completed an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program with a verification statement establishing eligibility to take the CDR registration exam. Such appointments are limited to GS-07 or GS-09, require supervision by an RDN at or above the full-performance level, and cannot be extended beyond one year or converted without the credential.
• For GS-09, at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or a master’s degree; candidates must demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology, ability to deliver care using the NCP, apply evidence-based practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• For GS-11, at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade; candidates must demonstrate skill in delivering care using the NCP, interpreting research and applying evidence-based practices, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, collaborating with stakeholders, and complying with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Meet applicable federal education-recognition requirements; foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated as specified and accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript where required.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding and application documentation, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Meet applicable pre-placement physical examination requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish nutrition diagnoses and determine risk or degree of malnutrition.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy, evaluate and monitor intervention effectiveness and outcomes, and modify plans as needed.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in the medical record using the ADIME format and maintain accurate records independently.
• Identify patients who need nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate with the healthcare team.
• Participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assess educational needs and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups.
• Use virtual-care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintain productivity standards, record daily clinical activities accurately, and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement in the safety and quality of Veterans’ care and lead implementation of new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve Veterans’ dining experiences and satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), potentially providing up to $200,000 in student loan repayment, subject to eligibility and program approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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