Dietitian - Clinical

Veterans Health Administration • Altoona, PA

14d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Dietitian coordinates nutritional care for Veterans in an outpatient setting, collaborating with other health care providers, Veterans, caregivers, and the community. The role interprets research and applies whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. The incumbent provides nutrition care, leads activities related to implementing new initiatives, uses data to evaluate performance and initiate corrective actions, and supports continuous improvement in safe, quality Veteran care. The position collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to improve the Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction, and serves as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations. The full performance level is GS-11; applicants may be selected at GS-7 through GS-11. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. EDRP student-loan repayment may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program approval and application requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD), subject to the stated GS-7/GS-9 temporary-appointment exception.
• For the GS-7/GS-9 non-credentialed temporary-appointment exception: a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university (or qualifying foreign equivalent), completion of an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program, and a program-director verification statement of eligibility to take the CDR registration exam.
• For GS-9: one year of experience equivalent to GS-7, or a master's degree; candidates must demonstrate knowledge of accrediting and regulatory requirements and virtual nutrition-care technology, and the ability to deliver care using the NCP, apply evidence-based nutrition practices, develop patient-centered goals, collect performance-improvement data, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• For GS-11: at least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to GS-9; candidates must demonstrate skill in delivering care using the NCP, 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.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Registration with Selective Service is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of required background/security investigation and online onboarding; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one-year or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and requires written certification.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient nutrition experience is preferred but not 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 to address nutrition diagnoses; evaluate and monitor intervention effectiveness and outcomes; and modify plans as needed.
• Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary dietary restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring diet prescriptions to individual patients.
• Document Medical Nutrition Therapy in the medical record using the ADIME format and maintain accurate records independently.
• Identify patients who need nutritional support, recommend an appropriate mode of support, and communicate with the health care team.
• Participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assess educational needs and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling to individuals and groups.
• Use virtual-care technology to improve access to care.
• Lead activities implementing new initiatives.
• Use data to develop measures, evaluate data, and initiate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction, and act as a liaison between clinical units and Food Operations.
• Maintain accurate records of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems.
• Comply with Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to support safe, quality patient care.
• Promote continuous improvement in the safety and quality of Veteran care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligible applicants may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to program approval and eligibility requirements.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position and eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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