The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) has duties related to food production and food service, as well as clinical duties. In addition to menu development and maintenance, this RDN is responsible for teaching Healthy Teaching Kitchen classes, nutrition care of Veterans in the facility's Tranquility House, as well as float coverage for the clinical section when needed. This RDN will also complete community inspections as assigned. The RDN is responsible for using evidence-based approaches to menu planning and counseling Veterans. S/he supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutrition care with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's family, and the community. The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the dietitian has expertise in a wide range of disease entities, treatment modalities, and drug/nutrient interactions.

The RDN will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics with minimal supervision in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Service policies and procedures and VA agency regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The RDN may be assigned to any nutrition practice area and must possess the knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions: 1) Food Production and Service, 2) Nutritional Care, 3) Nutritional Education, 4) Quality Improvement/Research, and 5) Professional Development.

Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 08:00 am to 04:30 pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Is not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• You must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform portions of the work. However, there is periodic walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as medical records, food trays, instructional material, books and manuals. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

PLEASE BE PATIENT THROUGHOUT THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. EMAILED NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT TO ALL APPLICANTS. IF YOU ARE REFERRED FOR CONSIDERATION, THE HIRING OFFICE WILL CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY, IF YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C 7402 (d).
• Applicants must have earned a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or Foreign Equivalent.
• Applicants must have fulfilled each of the following criteria:

(1) Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE).

(2) Completed a ACEND accredited supervised practice program. Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience

(3) 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).

GS-11: Experience or Education - 1) At least one (1) year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-09) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, or 2) education equivalent to three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or 3) 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 Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of best practices in the dietetics profession and in scientific literature, including knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice.
• Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.
• Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems.
• 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).
• Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.
• Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.
• Ability to apply food and nutrition science to menu development.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G20, Dietitian Qualification Standards GS-0630 and the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/dietition-and-nutritionist-series-0630/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Title of Functional Statement: Nutrition and Food Services, Martinsburg, West Virginia (Hybrid Title 38), Clinical/Food Service System Dietitian GS-11.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.