Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Registered Dietitian requires the skill in applying the theories and practices of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in Nutrition and Food Service and Office of Telehealth Services policies and procedures and VA regulations governing the practice of dietetics. The Dietitian(Clinical) will provide authoritative advice and program consultation on nutrition and weigh management programs; develop new approaches and apply current scientific advances; maintain effective working relationships with public health administrators and different community resource agencies.

The Dietitian must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions:

• Assesses nutritional, behavioral, and physical activity needs of individuals through analysis of patient histories and the MOVE! 23 Questionnaires.
• Screens veterans for a home telehealth device and assigns the most appropriate device to meet needs of veteran/caregiver.
• Reviews expectation with veteran/caregiver on using the home telehealth device for 82 day daily session in a 90 day period that can be repeated.
• Assesses biochemical and anthropometric finds, obtains history of dietary intake, and evaluates clinical factors to consider complex health requirements imposed by the patient's specific disease and weight management treatment plan.
• Monitors patients daily/weekly weight status and answers to weight reduction disease management questions and follows up when there are out-of-range alerts on monitor devices.
• Monitors, medications, treatment modalities and progress towards goals and intervenes frequently to respond to complicated disease state.
• Reviews current lab tests to assess nutritional laboratory parameters and monitors weight management outcome measures.
• Synthesizes data to determine nutritional and weight loss consequences on the system and thus evaluate patients projected response to treatment.
• Develops and assesses effectiveness of general and specialized diets and weight management care plans.
• Develop care plans for severely nutritionally and medically compromised patients.
• Develops or identifies specialized feeding programs for morbidly obese patient conditions to enhance weight management outcomes.
• Assesses compliance by the patient/family caregiver.
• Counsels individuals and health care providers on using motivational interviewing techniques to meet patient therapeutic goals.
• Monitor weekly and complete tracking reports of weights using home Telehealth data.
• Plans, delivers and evaluates weight management education for patients.
• Educates patients for compliance with critical and specialized nutrition weight loss care plan.
• Provides nutritional, behavioral, and physical activity counseling to patients.
• Documents in the electronic medical record.
• Serves on Health Education committees as assigned.
• Develop guidance for Telehealth MOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Assures compliance with the VHA Weight Management Program Directives.
• Coordinates program activities
• Establishes and maintains a continuous and systematic process of curriculum development, assessment, review, revision, evaluation and implementation of the Telehealth MOVE! Weight Management Program.
• Utilizes effective written and oral communication skills.
• Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with the Telehealth Move! Program.
• Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritizing of tasks.
• Maintains accurate records.
• Manages resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Assists in the evaluation and effectiveness of the MOVE! Weight management program.
• Analyze criteria and adjust standards in response to program development.
• Develops tools for the nutritional assessment.
• Serves as the nutrition expert on the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Conduct presentations at seminars, workshops, and lectures.
• Maintains dietetic registration and continuing education requirements.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth and development.
• Participates in departmental meetings, task forces, and projects.
• Complies with the VHA Core Values and the VAMC Washington, DC House Rules at all times
• Courteous and cooperative with coworkers, supervisors, patients, visitors, and medical Center personnel.
• Protects sensitive data and completes annual computer security training.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Available, Ad-hoc only as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD260284F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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 (Clinical), GS-11

1.) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade(GS-9*).*Examples of duties at the GS-9 include but are not limited to: Conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP; develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes; utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care; 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; comply with The Joint Commission and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care; 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; Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements; Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care; Ability to deliver patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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.

2.) 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.

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.

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.