Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS), serving as the medical nutrition expert in acute care and/or long-term care settings. Clinical Dietitians coordinate Veterans’ nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, caregivers, and the community. They interpret research and use Whole Health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes.

The Dietitian conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), develops and implements individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans, performs Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to assess malnutrition risk, calculates nutrient requirements, and recommends appropriate dietary modifications. The role includes assessing and monitoring patients receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition, evaluating responses to interventions, documenting nutrition care, and ordering labs, diets, and consults as permitted by scope of practice and clinical privileges.

The position also provides nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups, coordinates care and referrals, and supports patient-centered food service operations. Education and counseling are adapted to patients’ cultural, religious, educational, and medical circumstances. The Dietitian uses motivational interviewing and virtual care technology, including VA Video Connect and Secure Messaging, and participates in education and planning for home nutrition support.

The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Recruitment incentives may be authorized; permanent change of station is not authorized. The full performance level is GS-11, with selection at GS-07 through GS-11. The position is in the Excepted Service and is a Title 38 health-related position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. 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, except for the specified GS-07/GS-09 temporary appointment exception.
• For the GS-07/GS-09 non-credentialed temporary appointment 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 establishing eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.
• For GS-07: no experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
• 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, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual technology for nutrition care, and ability to deliver patient care using the Nutrition Care Process, apply evidence-based practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders for GS-09.
• Skill in delivering patient care using 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 for GS-11.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one-year or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Applicants must meet education or certification/licensure requirements by onboarding; foreign degrees must be evaluated by ACEND and meet its international dietitian education standards.
• Physical requirements include carrying under 15 pounds, use of fingers, walking for one hour, standing for six hours, distinguishing basic colors, hearing (a hearing aid may be permitted), and mental/emotional stability.

Nice To Haves

• One year of acute care experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process for assigned patients.
• Develop and implement individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy plans aligned with patients’ medical program goals and objectives.
• Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to determine malnutrition risk or degree of malnutrition.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and determine necessary diet modifications and food/drug interaction considerations.
• Analyze nutrition data and potential root causes of nutrition problems, tailoring nutrition therapy to patients’ physical and metabolic needs and psychosocial, behavioral, activity, ethnic, and cultural factors.
• Use evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health principles to establish shared, patient-centered goals and care plans focused on the etiology of nutrition problems.
• Support Veteran-centered food service operations, coordinate with food service staff, promote meal satisfaction, assist with new initiatives, and help ensure conformance to diet prescriptions as applicable.
• Identify patients who need nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode, route, formula, and administration rate.
• Provide initial and ongoing nutrition assessment for patients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition.
• Order labs, diets, and consults in accordance with scope of practice and clinical privileges.
• Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of Medical Nutrition Therapy interventions and revise plans as appropriate.
• Document nutrition assessments, care plans, interventions, recommendations, counseling results, patient consents, and discharge planning in the medical record.
• Assess nutrition education needs and provide individual and group education and counseling, including guidance on budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, storage, and sanitation.
• Use motivational interviewing to assess patient and caregiver readiness to learn and change behaviors, and evaluate achievement of learning objectives.
• Adapt education materials and counseling to patients’ level of understanding and communicate about drug-nutrient interactions.
• Use virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect and Secure Messaging to improve access to nutrition care.
• Provide follow-up nutrition education and counseling, and determine when consultation or referral to another provider or service is needed.
• Participate in planning and education for home nutrition support.
• Work rotating weekends as part of the stated schedule.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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