Dietitian (Facility Program Coordinator)

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 Determinations: Dietitian (Facility Program Coordinator), GS-12. (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of program administration establishes program goals and objectives, coordinates activities, evaluates accomplishments and solves problems. (b) Skill in developing quality improvement or research activities. (c) Skill in developing training and reference materials. (d) Ability to develop policies and procedures. (e) Ability to provide program-specific coordination to include leadership, technical advice and staff development. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees in this assignment serve as Facility Dietitian Program Coordinator leading a multi-disciplinary team. Dietitian Program Coordinators may provide direct patient care by developing and implementing comprehensive nutrition therapy, practicing within their scope/clinical privileges. They are administratively responsible for a specialty program and provide program-specific leadership, guidance and direction, technical advice and staff development. Dietitian Program Coordinators oversee responsibilities for program, policy and procedure development, set goals, monitor and redefine priorities and may have an active role in the fiscal management for the program. They direct or participate in the design of research activities or quality improvement studies, including data collection and analysis. Dietitian Program Coordinators have oversight of and are responsible for developing and maintaining training and reference materials. They maintain program information through approved social media outlets. Dietitian Program Coordinators may supervise up to two employees. This assignment must represent substantial additional responsibility over and above that required at the full performance grade level and cannot be used as the full performance level of this occupation. Preferred Experience: CDR: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist / Certifications in Integrated and Functional Nutrition References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. May be required to complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as employment conditions.
This role is directly aligned to Nutrition & Food Services with alignment to the Whole Health Program at the Salisbury VAHCS. Facility Program Coordinators have oversight responsibilities for the whole health sub-program, policy, & procedure development, set goals, monitor, & redefine priorities and may have an active role in the fiscal management for the program. They direct or participate in the design of research activities or quality improvement studies, including data collection & analysis.