Supervisory Dietitian (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Montgomery, AL

5d

About The Position

The Supervisory Dietitian leads the Clinical Nutrition section and is responsible for its strategic and business operations. The role supports Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) goals in alignment with the medical center mission, coordinates activities with other facility services and units, clinics, and the local community, and ensures compliance with internal and external regulatory authorities. The position is an expert in clinical nutrition and provides administrative and technical supervision of GS-12 Dietitians, with oversight of clinical dietitians at GS-11 and below. The incumbent is part of the NFS executive leadership team and provides professional and management support to the department, with a focus on patient satisfaction and veteran experience.

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Dietitian, Chief, Nutrition and Food Services, who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent completes assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance, sets work-completion deadlines, and resolves most conflicts using judgment and interpretation. Work is reviewed to ensure overall position objectives are met. The scheduled hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the schedule may change based on agency needs. Telework is ad hoc, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment, and permanent-change-of-station incentives are not authorized.

This is a GS-13 supervisory assignment. The incumbent must spend at least 25% of their time providing administrative and technical supervision over Dietitians at GS-12 or below. The role requires one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, an active RDN credential (subject to stated limited exceptions), and the specified supervisory knowledge, skills, and abilities. The position requires a U.S. citizen, English proficiency, and a pre-employment physical examination, among other conditions of employment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated statutory exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration, subject to the stated limited temporary-appointment exception for eligible non-credentialed dietitians.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Skill in written communication, including policy development and standard operating procedures.
• Skill in strategic planning to develop goals, objectives, and action plans.
• Skill in analyzing data to monitor progress toward improving and sustaining outcomes.
• Ability to negotiate.
• Ability to supervise subordinate staff by planning, organizing, delegating, directing, controlling, and reviewing activities and performance.
• At least 25% of work time providing administrative and technical supervision over Dietitians at GS-12 or below.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation and pass the pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
• For non-credentialed applicants seeking the stated temporary appointment exception: a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, or foreign equivalent; completion of an ACEND-accredited experiential or supervised practice program; and a verification statement establishing eligibility to take the CDR registration examination.
• Dietitians must actively pursue registration requirements; failure to obtain registration within one year of appointment may result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work experience in clinical nutrition operations at a healthcare facility.
• Ability to oversee clinical nutrition operations using evidence-based guidelines.
• Experience leading groups and teams.
• Knowledge and skill in analyzing advanced-level clinical nutrition concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical nutrition section-specific leadership and serve as a professional and technical advisor to staff and other health care professionals.
• Oversee HR staffing, employee relations, and labor relations in the Clinical Nutrition section.
• Plan, direct, and assess subordinate staff work, exercising supervisory and personnel management authorities.
• Establish an evidence-based nutrition training plan for the clinical section.
• Develop and lead clinical nutrition operations.
• Establish strategic goals and align priorities with NFS, VISN, and national program strategic plans.
• Lead performance-improvement efforts, act on quality-improvement data and plans, and evaluate progress toward improved outcomes.
• Identify and prioritize problems; set long- and short-term goals; develop action plans; and analyze data to improve outcomes.
• Develop and update policies and procedures and establish and oversee a system for regulatory compliance.
• Solicit support from or negotiate with facility managers to influence decisions and support successful clinical nutrition operations.
• Coordinate section activities with other facility services and units, clinics, and the local community.
• Collaborate with supervisory dietitians to cover work across NFS and execute department activities.
• Support department goals and work to improve patient satisfaction and veteran experience.
• Perform other related duties appropriate to the grade and assignment, as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may request prior federal or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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