Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a full-time Dietitian (Clinical) in the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Service at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The role performs increasingly complex clinical nutrition work while developing skills in evidence-based nutrition practice, research interpretation, whole health principles, and patient-centered goal setting.

The Dietitian provides nutrition care to Veterans through assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation; coordinates with interdisciplinary teams; provides tailored education and counseling; and uses virtual care technology to improve access. The position also supports quality improvement, new initiatives, compliance with accrediting standards, and collaboration with Food Operations to improve Veterans’ dining experience and satisfaction.

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, subject to the stated GS-07 and GS-09 temporary appointment exception.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For the non-credentialed GS-07/GS-09 exception: 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 confirming eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.
• For GS-09: at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-07, or a master's degree in dietetics or a closely related field; and the specified knowledge and abilities in accreditation and regulatory requirements, virtual nutrition care, the Nutrition Care Process, evidence-based practice, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data collection, and stakeholder collaboration.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to GS-09, demonstrating skill in the Nutrition Care Process, 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.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process.
• Must meet employment identification requirements; effective May 7, 2025, identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used as acceptable identification.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a two-year trial period, with continued employment dependent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• A pre-placement physical examination is required for employees in Home Based Primary Care because of Government vehicle use; the posting states the position’s work does not otherwise inherently include physical requirements that cannot be accommodated.

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 (MNT), evaluate and monitor its effectiveness and outcomes, and modify interventions as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary dietary restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format and maintain accurate records independently.
• Identify patients needing nutritional support, recommend the 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, record daily clinical activities accurately, and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, quality Veteran care and lead activities to implement new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards for safe, quality patient care.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to enhance the Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction, serving as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Prior federal or military service may be approved for credit toward annual leave accrual; this is subject to request and approval and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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