Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. §7407(a).
- Registration. (1) All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
- Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential. (a) Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualificationrequirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do notpossess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-timeappointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C.§ 7405(c)(2).
Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following:
A) Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent.
B) 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.
Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.
Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of an RDN at or above the full performance level.
Temporary appointments of non-credential Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, serving Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
- Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
- English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
GRADE DETERMINATIONS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment.
- Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07.
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
- Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09.
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
OR
Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA's), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.
While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSA's), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of 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.
Preferred Experience:
- Proficiency in creating individualized nutrition care plans based on comprehensive nutritional assessments.
- Familiarity with electronic health records and nutrition-related software CPRS.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an emphasis on patient education and counseling.
- Knowledge of current dietary guidelines and evidence-based practices.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
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-7, GS-9 to GS-11.