Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

27d

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing nutritional care for Veterans enrolled in the RPM-HT TeleMOVE! Weight Management Program, including people with complex medical and nutritional needs. The Dietitian supports the facility’s TeleMOVE! mission and coordinates care with other health care providers, Veterans, and their families or caregivers.

The role covers all phases of the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, planning, intervention and education, monitoring, and evaluation. The Dietitian assesses nutritional status, interprets diagnostic and treatment information, develops and monitors nutrition care plans, and reviews and calculates modified diets. The role also documents nutrition status, nutrient intake, education, and other pertinent information in medical records.

The Dietitian serves as a nutrition expert on interdisciplinary treatment teams, primarily assesses the educational needs of outpatients, provides nutrition counseling to individuals and groups, and schedules new and follow-up outpatient visits. Inpatient coverage is provided as part of a weekend rotation. The position reports directly to the Director of RPM-HT. The listed work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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.
• For the GS-09 level: at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college; and knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology; ability to use the Nutrition Care Process, apply evidence-based nutrition practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• For the GS-11 level: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade; and skill in using the Nutrition Care Process, interpreting research and applying evidence-based nutrition practices, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, and collaborating with stakeholders; ability to comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding, provide acceptable identification, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve the required one- or two-year trial period, subject to the terms described in the posting.
• A medical evaluation is required, including health, occupational, and immunization histories and tuberculosis screening.
• 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 confirming eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.

Nice To Haves

• Registered Dietitian with five or more years of clinical experience.
• Current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Prior Remote Patient Monitoring-Home Telehealth experience.

Responsibilities

• Screen and enroll Veterans in the TeleMOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Plan strategies for managing and delivering the nutritional aspects of the TeleMOVE! program.
• Develop nutrition care and education for program participants.
• Independently perform all phases of the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, planning, intervention and education, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Assess nutritional status and review and interpret relevant diagnostic and treatment data.
• Develop, implement, and monitor nutrition care plans.
• Review and calculate modified diets to meet the special dietary needs of patients requiring nutritional intervention.
• Accurately document nutritional status, nutrient intake, nutrition education, and other pertinent information in medical records.
• Participate as the nutrition expert on interdisciplinary treatment teams in outpatient clinics and, when needed, inpatient clinics.
• Assess educational needs, primarily for outpatients, and provide inpatient coverage as part of the weekend rotation.
• Provide individual and group nutrition counseling and schedule new and follow-up clinical outpatient visits.
• Implement and monitor quality assurance evaluations.
• Engage in professional development activities.
• Provide motivational education and work to improve Veteran productivity and satisfaction in the TeleMOVE! program.
• Assist in developing related policies as needed and develop clinical tools for field use.
• Coordinate nutritional care with health care providers, Veterans, and Veterans’ families or caregivers.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and program approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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