Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, NC

19d • Onsite

About The Position

Employees in this assignment serve as full-performance Clinical Dietitians within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS), acting as medical nutrition experts. They work autonomously and apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines to Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care with other health care providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community partners.

The role includes conducting comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), developing and implementing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), monitoring outcomes, and modifying plans as needed. Dietitians document care in the medical record using the ADIME format, identify patients who need nutritional support, provide tailored education and counseling, and participate in interdisciplinary care. They use virtual care technology, maintain accurate records and productivity standards, support continuous improvement and new initiatives, and collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve the Veterans' dining experience and patient satisfaction.

The full-performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-7 through GS-11. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized. The work does not inherently require physical demands that cannot otherwise be addressed through accommodation or workplace adjustment.

Applicants must meet applicable citizenship, registration, education, and qualification requirements. The standard requirement is the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Certain non-credentialed applicants may be considered for a temporary appointment not exceeding one year if they meet the stated education and supervised-practice requirements; they must work under RDN supervision and actively pursue registration. The role is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. A one- or two-year trial period may apply.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, except where the stated temporary non-credentialed appointment provisions apply.
• For the non-credentialed temporary appointment exception: bachelor's degree or higher 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.
• Foreign degrees must meet ACEND international dietitian education standards; foreign education used to qualify requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Non-credentialed Dietitians appointed under the exception may only be appointed at GS-07 or GS-09, must work under the supervision of an RDN at or above the full-performance level, and must obtain registration within one year.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must complete required background/security investigation, online onboarding, and pre-employment requirements; must pass a pre-employment physical examination as stated in the conditions of employment.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete all application requirements specified in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• May be required to serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• 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; must demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements, virtual nutrition-care technology, the NCP, evidence-based nutrition practices, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data collection, and stakeholder collaboration.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade; must demonstrate skill in delivering care using the NCP, interpreting research and applying evidence-based practice, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, collaborating with stakeholders, and complying with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional 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 its effectiveness and outcomes, and modify plans to improve patient outcomes.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and diet restrictions, account for food and drug interactions, and tailor diet 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, including daily clinical activities and patient encounters in approved systems.
• Identify patients needing nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate with 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.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintain productivity standards and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, high-quality Veteran care and lead activities implementing new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned that are appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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