Dietitian - Advanced Level Practice

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

9d

About The Position

The Advanced-Level Dietitian conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and provides high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice. The role uses current research, evidence-based guidelines, and professional expertise to guide nutrition care and lead dietitians and multidisciplinary specialty-care teams in planning, implementing, and evaluating organizational initiatives.

The position provides comprehensive medical nutrition care in specialty programs and varied patient-care settings, including individualized interventions based on evidence and best practices. The dietitian also provides consultative services on advanced therapies, policies, procedures, and research; develops and monitors practice-specific benchmarks; and leads nutrition initiatives and changes in practice to achieve strategic goals. The role establishes goals, measures outcomes, reports progress, leads staff development and competency activities, and communicates findings through reports, presentations, and professional publications.

This is a GS-12 position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be available at the supervisor’s discretion; the position is not virtual. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, proficient in spoken and written English, registered as an RDN or RD, and hold an assignment-related advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body. One year of experience equivalent to GS-11 is required. Preferred experience includes CDCES or BC-ADM certification and experience overseeing nutrition and diabetes care for complex, high-risk inpatient and outpatient patients.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD).
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), including the specified specialized experience and skills.
• An advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body that is directly related to the assignment.
• Demonstrated skill leading teams in implementing nutrition-related activities.
• Demonstrated skill using evidence-based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes.
• Ability to develop policies and standard operating procedures through written communication.
• Ability to serve as a nutrition expert by providing technical guidance, direction, and staff development.
• Ability to lead research or performance-improvement studies.
• Ability to present complex nutrition information to large groups of health care providers to influence care.
• Ability to use the Nutrition Care Process; interpret research and apply evidence-based practices; develop patient-centered goals; analyze performance-improvement data; collaborate with stakeholders; comply with accrediting, regulatory, and agency requirements; use virtual-care technology; maintain accurate records; independently cover daily clinical activities; and efficiently complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Must complete applicable background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, application-document, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist) or BC-ADM certification.
• Experience in nutrition and diabetes, overseeing medical nutrition therapy for inpatient and outpatient patients and diabetes care plans for the most complex and high-risk patients.

Responsibilities

• Lead dietitians and multidisciplinary specialty teams in developing nutrition-related services, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Provide comprehensive medical nutrition care using the Nutrition Care Process in specialty programs and varied patient-care settings.
• Base individualized nutrition interventions on available research, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices.
• Provide nutrition education to individuals, groups, peers, licensed practitioners, medical students, interns, and residents, as applicable.
• Provide consultative services concerning advanced therapies, policies, procedures, and research related to quality nutrition care.
• Develop, monitor, and direct practice-specific benchmarks based on standards of care or national initiatives.
• Use professional knowledge, expertise, principles, and current research to plan, implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives.
• Lead implementation of new nutrition initiatives and changes in practice to achieve strategic goals.
• Establish goals, measure outcomes, and report progress to medical center committees, health care teams, and professional groups.
• Lead staff, create and validate competencies, and develop training activities.
• Lead nutrition research or performance-improvement studies and communicate findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, or peer-reviewed publications.
• Present current nutrition information and changing concepts at seminars, workshops, and lectures.

Benefits

• The announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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