Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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 #: PD99500S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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-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:

GS-7 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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