Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

34d • Hybrid

About The Position

Summary Nutrition and Food Service is hiring an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian. The Clinical Dietitian is responsible for independently planning, implementing, and overseeing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional requirements. The Clinical Dietitian supports the facility's mission and collaborates with other healthcare professionals, veterans, their caregivers, and the community to coordinate comprehensive nutritional care.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency:Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
• Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN.
• GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) related to the position being filled; OR posses a Master's Degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
• Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
• Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
• Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
• GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) related to the position being filled.
• Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
• Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
• Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
• Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
• Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a Clinical Dietitian preferred but recent dietetic internship graduates will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition focused physical examinations, to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or malnutrition.
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions. Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes.
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient.
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format. Functions independently and accurately when record keeping.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team.
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s).
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintains productivity standards.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

What This Job Offers

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