Dietitian (Facility Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, SC

20d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dietitian (Facility Program Coordinator) leads the MOVE Weight Management Program at the Columbia VA Health Care System and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The coordinator advises the Assistant Chief and Chief of Nutrition & Food Services on matters related to the program and applies advanced practice skills, knowledge, and judgment to improve treatment services.

The role provides administrative responsibility and program-specific leadership, guidance, technical advice, and staff development for a multidisciplinary team. It oversees program, policy, and procedure development; establishes goals and priorities; monitors and evaluates results; and may take an active role in fiscal management. The coordinator also directs or participates in research and quality-improvement activities, including data collection and analysis, and oversees the development and maintenance of training and reference materials.

The position provides direct patient care through comprehensive nutrition therapy within the employee’s scope and clinical privileges. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; hours may change based on agency needs. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), subject to the stated exception for non-credentialed dietitians.
• For the GS-12 grade determination, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge of program administration, including establishing goals and objectives, coordinating activities, evaluating accomplishments, and solving problems.
• Skill in developing quality-improvement or research activities.
• Skill in developing training and reference materials.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide program-specific coordination, including leadership, technical advice, and staff development.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Satisfy applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, pre-employment screening, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• If relying on education to qualify, submit transcripts; foreign education must meet applicable equivalency requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of the facility program and ensure local compliance with national policy and direction.
• Coordinate with the multidisciplinary team to establish local goals, measure progress, and report results to appropriate local, VISN, and national officials.
• Provide direct patient care by developing and implementing comprehensive nutrition therapy within scope of practice and clinical privileges.
• Serve as the professional and technical advisor for the program.
• Promote and maintain effective working relationships with relevant parties at national, state, and local levels.
• Direct or participate in study design; collect data; conduct statistical analyses; interpret findings; and communicate results in writing and orally.
• Set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement solutions.
• Consult with Nutrition & Food Services and other facility health care staff on evaluating health care delivery to Veterans and employees.
• Determine program staff continuing-education needs and identify appropriate resources.
• Oversee development of program policies and procedures.
• Oversee development and maintenance of training and reference materials.
• Establish and manage program goals and objectives; plan and administer the program, coordinate activities and resources, evaluate accomplishments, redefine priorities, solve problems, and modify objectives.
• Participate actively in fiscal management, identifying resource needs such as staffing, supplies, and contracts.
• Maintain program information through approved social media outlets.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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