Dietitian- Adv. Level Practice

Veterans Health Administration•Murfreesboro, TN

About The Position

The Dietitian-Advanced Level Practice, CNSC conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP), providing high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice. Advanced Level Practice Dietitians serve as subject matter experts in advanced clinical nutrition and use their knowledge, expertise, principles, and current research to lead dietitians and nutrition specialty care teams in planning, implementing, and evaluating organizational initiatives. The selected incumbent is a nutrition and diabetes subject matter expert overseeing medical nutrition therapy and diabetes care plans for the most complex and high-risk patients with diabetes. The role provides comprehensive medical nutrition care in specialty programs and/or varied patient care settings, applying individualized interventions based on research, evidence-based guidelines, and best practices. It includes developing nutrition-related services and protocols, providing education and consultative services, setting and monitoring benchmarks, implementing new initiatives, measuring outcomes, and communicating progress. The Dietitian also leads staff development, training, research, and performance improvement activities, and presents current nutrition information to professional audiences. Work schedule: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Ad hoc telework may be available based on service needs; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

United States citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) credential from the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification.
One year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
Experience conducting comprehensive nutrition assessments and using the Nutrition Care Process, including assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation.
Skill in leading a team in implementing nutrition-related activities.
Skill in using evidence-based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes.
Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures.
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 persuade and influence care.
Subject to background and security investigation and completion of online onboarding and pre-employment identification requirements.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in nutrition and diabetes, overseeing medical nutrition therapy and diabetes care plans for the most complex and high-risk patients with diabetes.

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/or a variety of 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 regarding 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 nutrition expertise and current research to plan, implement, and evaluate organizational initiatives.
Lead implementation of new nutrition initiatives or practice changes 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 studies or performance improvement work and communicate findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and/or peer-reviewed professional publications.
Present seminars, workshops, and lectures conveying current nutrition information and changing concepts.
Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment.