Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S Citizens. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred in the following order: 1) Preference eligible Veterans; 2) All other qualified U.S. Citizens. If you are a current, permanent employee of VA Loma Linda Healthcare System or Dept. of Veterans Affairs and would like to be considered as an internal candidate, please apply under job announcement CBSX-12095257-23-JAD.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as member of the multidisciplinary team with VA PACT teams and provides consultation regarding weight management policy, procedures, and clinical care.
• Independently manage a panel of enrolled Veterans and deliver face to face, telephone, telehealth, and group weight management counseling which includes but is not limited to motivational interviewing and other behavioral medicine modalities (such as counseling regarding concerns/issues regarding weight status), health coaching, nutritional guidance, and exercise guidance.
• Functions as a liaison for the MOVE! program among the different MOVE modalities: TeleMOVE!, MOVE TIME clinic.
• Assess nutritional, behavioral and physical activity needs of individuals through analysis of patient histories, interviews, and MOVE! Questionnaires.
• Collaborates with the Veteran to set long- and short-term goals, explore weight loss modalities available to the Veteran, create individualized, patient-centered weight management plans.
• Monitors patients' weight status, treatment modalities and progress, and intervenes frequently to respond to complex medical, social, and psychological challenges.
• Synthesizes data to determine weight loss consequences, evaluate patients' projected response to treatment, and coach Veteran to reduce effect of external factors on weight loss progress.
• Guides Veterans to understanding of their weight management aspects of their care and educates veteran on the multiple weight loss modalities offered by the VA and community.
• Modifies education techniques and finds appropriate level of care based on patients' individual social, psychological and cultural profile.
• Assists in maintaining continuous and systematic process of curriculum development. Engages a multidisciplinary team (including but not limited to RN, LVN, MD, RD, pharmacist, psychologists, recreation therapists, and health coaches) in the assessment, review, revision, evaluation and implementation of existing MOVE! program and development of new programs.
• Collects and reviews data from MOVE! program, measures the effectiveness of the program, and assess the needs of multiple health care teams.
• Synthesizes data to develop and implement training and performance improvement processes for nursing, nutrition services, medical providers, and other stakeholders based on the needs of the program.
• Remains up to date in areas impacting the direction and administration of weight management and health promotion and disease prevention programs.
• Provides interdisciplinary staff training on obesity management and services provided by MOVE! program. Part of interdisciplinary team meetings or other formal and informal settings to publicize educational program accomplishments. Works to solicit resources or other forms of support and cooperation necessary to ensure program success.
• Is a resource for the Veterans and their families regarding weight management modalities offered through the VA system and community and national regulations or guidelines that impact physical activity, nutrition, and behavioral recommendations.
• Supports related nutrition programming in Whole Health, such as Healthy Teaching Kitchen and Well-Being classes.
• Utilizes effective written and oral communications skills to promote and maintain effective working relationships with all facility employees and significant parties at the nation, state and local level.
• Utilizes technology and telehealth in delivering education programs.
• Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management and prioritizing of tasks.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Telework: Available for high qualified candidates.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• Registration: All applicants 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).
  • Exceptin for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2). 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 have fulfilled each of the following:
      • Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below).
      • 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.
    • 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
• 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.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Nutrition
• Experience working with bariatric surgery patients in a clinical setting
• Experience with individual nutrition counseling in an outpatient setting
• Experience leading a facilitating group classes independently

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements.

GS-7 Dietitian (Clinical): None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position. They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals. They develop skills in accurate record keeping of clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction.

GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level related to the position being filled; or a Master's Degree from a regionally accredited university or college. In addition, applicants must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
2. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
3. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
4. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
5. Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
6. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
7. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position. They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP. They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. They collect data related to performance improvement activities within Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) and assist in implementing new initiatives. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Service Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the food service section.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have 1 year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade level related to the position being filled. In addition, applicants must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
2. Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
3. Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
4. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
5. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
6. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G20 - Dietitian Qualification Standards.

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, r?sum?, 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.