Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Employees in this assignment serve as medical nutrition experts within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS). They work autonomously, applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The role uses the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) to assess patients, establish nutrition diagnoses, deliver Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and evaluate patient outcomes. The Dietitian collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and Food Operations, provides individualized nutrition education and counseling, uses virtual-care technology to improve access, and contributes to safe, high-quality care and continuous improvement. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), subject to the stated GS-07/GS-09 temporary-appointment exception.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For non-credentialed Dietitians considered under the GS-07/GS-09 exception: a 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.
• 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; also demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology, ability to deliver care using the NCP and 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; also demonstrate skill in using the NCP, interpreting research to apply evidence-based practices, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, collaborating with stakeholders, and complying with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Meet the physical requirements referenced in VA Directive and Handbook 5019; a pre-employment examination or evaluation may be required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

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 to address nutrition diagnoses; evaluate and monitor intervention effectiveness and outcomes; and modify plans as needed.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and diet restrictions, account for food and drug interactions, and tailor diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in medical records using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format, and maintain accurate records independently.
• 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 individualized nutrition education and counseling for Veterans, individually and in groups.
• Use virtual-care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintain productivity standards, accurately record daily clinical activities, and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, quality care for Veterans 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 requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve Veterans' dining experience and patient satisfaction, and serve as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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: Entry Level