The Clinical Dietician is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned clients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs supporting the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the client, the client's family, and the community. The catchment area is 60 miles from the SF CBOC. You will have access to a government vehicle for home visits.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. ~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN. A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements. Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Ability to develop patient-centered goals. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11 Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. Skill in developing patient-centered goals. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
Performs nutritional assessment in newly admitted HBPC patients to identify patients at nutritional risk, to obtain pertinent information on eating patterns, economic situation, cultural background, compliance/comprehension of previous diets and other factors influencing nutrient intake and food tolerances/preferences and preparation. Evaluates nutritional assessments, reviews and interprets pertinent diagnostic and treatment data, and develops, implements, and monitors the nutrition care plan through the physician. Initiates laboratory tests to more accurately assess nutritional status. Monitor laboratory values closely and recommends appropriate changes in diet prescriptions to the physician. Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Accurately obtains and interprets medical information pertinent to the patient's nutritional care to determine risk, assess nutritional status and develop individual specialized care plans to simultaneously address several disease processes. Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. Diet prescribed is tailored to each individual client according to physical and metabolic needs. Designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutritional care plan. Formulates therapeutic plans for specialized nutrition support, including enteral nutrition. Identifies patients in need of nutrition support and recommends the appropriate mode of nutrition support, including suitable route, formula and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessments of receiving central nutrition. Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns. Orders labs, diets and consults per Scope of Practice/Clinical privileges. Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of medical nutrition therapy interventions. Evaluates the patient's response to care based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan as appropriate. Assesses the adequacy of the caregiver's capacity to prepare recommended meals. Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, medical nutrition therapy initiated and recommendation's, results of nutrition counseling and discharge planning from HBPC. Documentation supports and interdisciplinary approach and continuity of care. Advises HBPC patients and caregivers of community nutritional services available. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized