Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System Employees, VA Employees Nationwide, and all other Federal Employees. ***If you are NOT A current federal employee, please apply to vacancy CBSU-13002996-26-CH open to the public. *** NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:

• Nutritional Care:
  • Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
  • Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format.
  • Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
  • Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions to each individual patient.
  • Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
• Nutrition Education and Coordination of Care:
  • Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational and medical situation of the patient. Includes information regarding budgeting, menu planning, food purchasing and preparation, food storage and sanitation.
  • Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors.
  • Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
  • Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug incompatibilities and counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
• Business Functions:
  • Maintains productivity standards. Practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks to ensure efficient workflow in assigned area.
  • Ensures completion of consult management tasks by reviewing assigned nutrition consults. Ensures appropriate scheduling and timely completion of all assigned consults.
  • Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters utilizing the Event Capture System (ECS).
  • Manages resources (time, materials, and staff) in a cost-effective manner.
  • Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
• Quality Improvement/Research:
  • Leads Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators, evaluation criteria, collecting performance improvement data, monitoring outcomes, and initiating corrective actions.
  • Contributes to a culture of safety by entering patient safety concerns in the Joint Patient Safety Reporting System (JPRS).
  • Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.
  • Participates in service-level strategic planning.
  • Participates in peer review using NFS standardized process.
• Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team:
  • Serves as the medical nutrition expert for medical staff on the nutritional management of patients.
  • Communicates and influences treatment interventions determined by the medical team through interdisciplinary meetings, team rounds, medical conferences and nutrition-related in-services.
  • Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current nutrition information on new and changing concepts. This includes the development and participation of in- service educational programs directed to members of interdisciplinary teams, various students, interns and Veterans and their family members.
  • Coordinates care with colleagues in a variety of medical and home settings to ensure appropriate
    transitions of care are addressed to meet the patient's needs.
  • Conducts self in a manner that demonstrates adherence to standards of professional performance.
• Professional Development
  • Maintains Registered Dietitian Nutritionist registration and continuing education requirements.
  • Interprets current clinical knowledge, standards of care, and research to improve patient care.
  • Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars, and staff development programs.
  • Participates in departmental and/or interdisciplinary meetings, task forces, and projects.

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

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).
• Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: 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 and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
  • Exception 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 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.
    • 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 provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level.
    • Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR
• Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
  • Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
  • Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
  • Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
  • Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
  • Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
  • Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

• Experience: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • 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.

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, resume, 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.