Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice)

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). 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 Determination: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice), GS-12 (1) Experience – One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (GS-11) which is defined as: Delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation); Interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes; Developing patient-centered goals; Analyzing data for performance improvement studies; Collaborating with stakeholders; Complying with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. (2) Certification – Must hold an advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or the National Board of Nutrition Certification. The certification must be directly related to the assignment being filled. For example, where the assignment requires diabetes management, a Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certification is qualifying. Commonly held certifications include Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition; Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition; Registered Dietitian Nutritionist-Advanced Practitioner; Certified Nutrition Support Clinician. (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – In addition to the experience and certification above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities. Skill in utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes. Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures. Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development. Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies. Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
This position is located within the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital serving as an Advanced Level Practice Dietitian. (NFS) develops and provides comprehensive evidenced based nutritional services for our Veteran facilities. As the Dietitian, it will involve conducting comprehensive nutrition assessments for Veterans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) assuring high-quality nutrition care under an advanced and expanded scope of practice.