Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Clinical Section of Nutrition and Food Services (NFS), serving as a medical nutrition expert in acute care and/or long-term care settings. The Clinical Dietitian coordinates Veterans’ nutritional care with other health care providers, the Veteran, caregivers, and the community. The role interprets research and applies Whole Health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. The dietitian conducts nutrition assessments and develops individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans, including evaluating malnutrition risk, calculating nutrient requirements, addressing diet modifications and food/drug interactions, and determining nutrition support needs. The dietitian monitors outcomes, documents care, and coordinates with food service staff to support diet prescriptions and patient satisfaction. The position also provides nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups, adapts materials to patients’ needs and circumstances, and uses motivational interviewing and virtual care tools to support access and behavior change. The schedule is 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation incentives may be authorized; Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated limited non-citizen appointment exception under VA policy.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD), except for eligible GS-07 or GS-09 non-credentialed temporary appointees meeting the stated education and supervised-practice requirements.
For the GS-07/GS-09 non-credentialed exception: bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent, and completion of an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program with verification of eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.
GS-07: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
GS-09: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
GS-09 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology; ability to deliver patient care using the NCP; apply evidence-based nutrition practices; develop patient-centered goals; collect performance-improvement data; and collaborate with stakeholders.
GS-11: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
GS-11 candidates must demonstrate skill in delivering patient care using the NCP, 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.
Must complete applicable background/security investigation and online onboarding requirements.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must serve a one-year or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date; health professions trainees must meet requirements by onboarding.

Nice To Haves

One year of acute care experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP).
Develop and implement individualized Medical Nutrition Therapy plans aligned with patients’ medical program goals and objectives.
Perform Nutrition Focused Physical Exams to assess risk or degree of malnutrition.
Calculate nutrient requirements and identify diet modifications and food/drug interactions.
Evaluate nutrition data and potential root causes of nutrition problems, tailoring therapy to patients’ physical and metabolic needs and psychosocial, behavioral, activity, ethnic, and cultural factors.
Apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health principles to develop shared, patient-centered goals and plans of care.
Support veteran-centric food service operations, coordinate with food service staff, help implement initiatives, and act as a liaison between clinical units and food service as applicable.
Identify patients needing nutritional support and recommend the appropriate route, formula, and administration rate.
Provide initial and ongoing assessments for patients receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition.
Order labs, diets, and consults within Scope of Practice and clinical privileges.
Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions and revise plans as appropriate.
Document nutrition assessments, interventions, recommendations, counseling results, patient consents, and discharge planning in medical records.
Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups.
Use motivational interviewing to assess readiness to learn and potential for behavior change; evaluate learning objectives with patients and families.
Adapt education materials and counseling to patients’ level of understanding and individual circumstances.
Counsel patients about drug-nutrient interactions and their effects on nutrition status or nutrient utilization.
Use virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect and Secure Messaging to improve access to nutrition care.
Provide follow-up education and counseling, refer or consult with other providers or services when appropriate, and participate in planning and education for home nutrition support.