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. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
- Education. 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.
- 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.
- Registration. 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).
Grandfathering Provision. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
Supervisory Dietitian (Clinical Nutrition) GS-12
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) examples include, 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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of accrediting requirements in clinical nutrition to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements.
- Skill as a nutrition expert to provide technical guidance, direction and staff development.
- Skill in Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines to develop, implement and coordinate best practices.
- Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems.
- Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance).
- Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources.
References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.
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.