Summary Works within the Clinical Section of Nutrition & Food Service serves as the medical nutrition expert applying evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients; coordinates nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community; interprets research and utilizes whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals collaborating with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience. Responsibilities The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. He/she works with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient's needs are being met when an alternative form of nutrition management (enteral/parenteral nutrition) is determined to be necessary. He/She supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the client, the clients family and the community. Duties Include: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments for patients at nutritional risk using the Nutrition Care Process Develops and implements an individualized plan for MNT in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives Completes MDS and documents results and recommendations in medical record Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions Conducts regular meal observations to ensure the accuracy, palatability, and appropriateness of food served Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns Orders labs, diets, supplements, and consults per scope of Practice/Policy Order Authorization Evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcome of MNT interventions Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, nutrition diagnosis, medical nutrition therapy initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, and discharge planning Works cooperatively with Nutrition and Food Services and nursing staff to ensure conformance to diet prescriptions Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational, and medical situation of the patient Provides nutrition education and counseling to individual in a variety of settings for nutrition related problems, preventive health measures and chronic disease management. As necessary, includes information regarding budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, food storage, and sanitation. This may include leading a group education class Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to client's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community or home health services as appropriate Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns. Plans learning experiences, teaches, and evaluates performance Participates in community projects and education as needed/assigned Documents all nutrition education in the medical record according to facility policy Work Schedule: Full time; Monday - Friday, 8am - 430pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD03389F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Light lifting (up to 15 pounds), light carrying (up to 15 pounds), reaching above shoulders, walking (4 hours), standing, hearing (aid permitted), sitting 3-4 hours intermittently, hand and eye coordination. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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-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. GS-9 Experience or Education. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or master's degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility, under general supervision. 2. Knowledge of various food preparation and delivery systems within a healthcare environment. 3. Knowledge of educational concepts, methods, training materials, and resources and the ability to develop and conduct education and training programs for NFS employees. 4. Ability to participate in research studies and conduct performance improvement studies and document findings to evaluate staff, food, supplies, equipment, and service, in order to improve the efficiency of the operation. 5. Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics including NCP and MNT in order to plan, develop, and coordinate nutrition interventions, including enteral and parenteral nutrition, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities that promote Veteran health, wellness and lifestyle management. GS-11 Experience or Education. At least 1 year of experience as a registered dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level, or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice. 2. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities. 3. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies. 4. Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems. 5. Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). 6. Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities. 7. Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals. 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-09 to GS-11. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (up to 15 pounds), light carrying (up to 15 pounds), reaching above shoulders, walking (4 hours), standing, hearing (aid permitted), sitting 3-4 hours intermittently, hand and eye coordination. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.