Dietitian-Clinical Home Based Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Cody, WY

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-performance clinical dietitian position provides Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) within the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services, serving as a medical nutrition expert. The dietitian works autonomously, applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for patients with complex medical and nutritional needs. The role coordinates Veterans’ nutritional care with health care providers, Veterans, caregivers, and community partners; interprets research and applies whole health principles to establish patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. The dietitian also collaborates with Food Operations and department leadership to enhance the Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction.

The position uses the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to assess patients, establish nutrition diagnoses, provide and monitor Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and adjust interventions as needed. It includes nutrition-focused physical examinations, documenting care in the medical record using the ADIME format, identifying patients needing nutritional support, providing tailored nutrition education and counseling, and using virtual care technology to improve access. The dietitian participates in interdisciplinary teams, maintains clinical activity records and productivity standards, supports quality and safety improvement initiatives, evaluates data and initiates corrective actions, and complies with accreditation requirements.

The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Compressed tours are available. Telework is not available, and the role is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized. The position is permanent, in the Excepted Service, and may be filled at GS-07 through GS-11, with GS-11 as the full-performance level. Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with awards up to $200,000 subject to program approval and eligibility requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated statutory exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A current, valid, unrestricted driver’s license to operate a government-owned vehicle for HBPC duties.
• Applicants with the RDN credential must hold a current Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• For the temporary non-credentialed Dietitian 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-09, either at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-07 or a master’s degree; applicants must also demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities in regulatory requirements, virtual nutrition care, NCP-based care, evidence-based practice, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data, and stakeholder collaboration.
• For GS-11, at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to GS-09, and the specified skills and abilities in NCP-based care, research interpretation, patient-centered goals, performance-improvement data, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Meet applicable qualification requirements for the grade and assignment. Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed temporarily at GS-07 or GS-09, must work under RDN supervision, and must obtain the RDN credential to be promoted or converted.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, application documentation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Meet applicable education-recognition requirements; foreign education used to qualify must be supported by the required foreign equivalency documentation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish diagnoses and determine malnutrition risk or degree.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy, monitor and evaluate its effectiveness and outcomes, and modify interventions 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 the medical record using the ADIME format and maintain accurate records independently.
• Identify patients who need 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 accurate records of daily clinical activities, and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement in the safety and quality of Veteran care and lead activities implementing new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate performance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to enhance the dining experience, support patient satisfaction, and liaise between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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