Dietitian - Clinical - Home Based Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • Casper, WY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian provides nutrition care to Veterans receiving Home Based Primary Care. The role conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to determine nutrition diagnoses and malnutrition risk or degree. The Dietitian develops, implements, monitors, and adjusts Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), including individualized nutrient requirements, diet restrictions, and food or drug interactions, to support positive patient outcomes.

The position documents nutrition care in the medical record using the ADIME format, maintains accurate records, and completes patient encounters in approved systems. The Dietitian identifies patients needing nutritional support, recommends appropriate support, and communicates with the interdisciplinary health care team. The role provides individualized and group nutrition education and counseling, uses virtual care technology to improve access, and contributes to safe, high-quality care and performance improvement initiatives.

The Dietitian collaborates with Food Operations and department leadership to improve Veterans' dining experiences and patient satisfaction, and serves as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations. The role may perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment. The position is offered at GS-7 through GS-11, with GS-11 identified as the full performance level. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, except for qualifying GS-7 or GS-9 non-credentialed temporary appointments.
• For qualifying non-credentialed GS-7 or GS-9 candidates: a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. 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 examination.
• For GS-9: at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-7, or a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to GS-9.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual technology for nutrition care, and ability to deliver care using the NCP, apply evidence-based nutrition practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders at the GS-7 level.
• At the GS-11 level, demonstrated skill in NCP-based patient care, interpreting research and applying evidence-based nutrition practices, developing patient-centered goals, analyzing performance-improvement data, collaborating with stakeholders, and complying with accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• A current, valid, unrestricted state-issued driver's license; HBPC Dietitians must be able to operate a government-owned vehicle.
• Must complete required application steps and an online assessment; selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation and required onboarding.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis screening for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year or more of preferred experience.
• Ability to practice independently while working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish nutrition diagnoses and assess risk or degree of malnutrition.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy, evaluate and monitor its effectiveness and outcomes, and modify care plans 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 clinical records and patient encounters in approved systems.
• Identify patients who need nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate recommendations to the health care team.
• Participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assess educational needs and provide individualized and group nutrition education and counseling tailored to Veterans.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to nutrition care.
• Maintain productivity standards and accurate records of daily clinical activities.
• Support continuous improvement of safe, high-quality Veteran care and lead activities implementing new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate results, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with Food Operations and department leadership to improve Veterans' dining experiences and patient satisfaction, and act as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Perform other related duties appropriate for the grade and assignment.

Benefits

• Eligible positions may participate in the Education Debt Reduction Program, with reimbursement of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility, program approval, and other stated conditions.
• Relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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