Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Longview, TX

25d • Onsite

About The Position

Clinical Dietitians coordinate Veterans’ nutritional care with other health care providers, Veterans, caregivers, and the community. They interpret research and apply whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. They also collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction.

The role provides comprehensive nutrition care using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition-focused physical examinations, nutrition diagnosis, and assessment of malnutrition risk. Dietitians develop, implement, monitor, and adjust Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT); tailor diet prescriptions to individual needs; document care in the medical record using the ADIME format; and recommend appropriate nutritional support in coordination with the health care team. They provide individualized and group nutrition education, participate in interdisciplinary meetings, and use virtual care technology to improve access.

The position also involves maintaining productivity and accurate clinical records, supporting continuous improvement and safe, quality care, leading implementation of new initiatives, using data to evaluate measures and initiate corrective actions, and complying with Joint Commission and other accrediting standards. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. Work is performed in an office or clinic setting and may involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Hold Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, except for qualifying GS-07 or GS-09 temporary appointments described in the posting.
• For the non-credentialed GS-07/GS-09 exception: hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent, and complete an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program with verification of eligibility to take the CDR registration examination.
• For GS-09: have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology; ability to deliver care using the NCP, apply evidence-based practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• For GS-11: have at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade; demonstrate skill in delivering 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.
• Complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding process, provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements, participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program, and pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable, during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• Register with Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Meet any applicable foreign education evaluation requirements through ACEND.
• Be able to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
• Physical aspects may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process, including nutrition-focused physical examinations, to establish nutrition diagnoses and determine malnutrition risk or degree.
• Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy, then evaluate and monitor its effectiveness and outcomes and modify plans as needed.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and account for diet restrictions and food-drug interactions when tailoring diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format and maintain accurate records independently.
• Identify patients needing nutritional support, recommend the appropriate mode of support, and communicate with the health care team.
• Participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education and counseling tailored to individual Veterans and groups.
• Use virtual care technology to improve access to care.
• Maintain productivity standards and record daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems.
• Support continuous improvement and safe, quality Veteran care.
• Lead activities to implement new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate data, and initiate corrective actions.
• Comply with Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care.
• Collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and patient satisfaction.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Eligible selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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