Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. First Area of Consideration: Current permanent facility employees of the Tucson VA Medical Center. Second Area of Consideration: Current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs Third Area of Consideration: All US Citizens

Videos

Include but are not limited to:

• Develops, documents, tracks, and assesses program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through evaluation of data and improved program outcomes and customer experience. - Writes the self-study for re-accreditation.
• Facilitates the ACEND® site visit.
• Maintains up-to-date program information accessible through online sources.
• Coordinates program marketing events such as an intern open house, and outreach events.
• Executes the selection process for dietetic interns, maintaining all records as required by ACEND ®.
• Establishes an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection.
• Plans and coordinates intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters, and community affiliations.
• Establishes, administers, maintains, and coordinates affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum.
• Coordinates maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies.
• Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations.
• Coordinates preceptor training and ensures ongoing preceptor competency.
• Provides direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, and ongoing educational programs related to the dietetic internship program.
• Ensures timely completion of rotation evaluations.
• Meets with interns to ensure progress towards program completion. When issues arise, creates action plans that give the intern every opportunity available to meet the requirements for graduation

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).

• 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

Basic Requirements:

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. Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

Education and Supervised Practice (1) The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria: (a) 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). (b) Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND, formally known as CADE. Completion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice program. Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience.

Registration/Certification. 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Preferred Experience: None

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-12 - Dietetic Internship Director
(1) Experience. Three years of experience post registration

(2) Education. Individuals assigned as Dietetic Internship Director must possess a Master's degree or higher from an accredited university or college.

(3) 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 Dietetic Internship Director. They are responsible for administering all aspects of an accredited dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors oversee the daily operations of the program and ensure education, curriculum, policies and procedures are in compliance with the ACEND® requirements and are compatible with regulations and procedures for Associated Health Trainees set forth by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. They develop, document, track and assess program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through data evaluation and improved program outcomes and customer experience. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for writing the self-study for re-accreditation and facilitating the ACEND® site visit. They are responsible for maintaining up-to-date program information accessible through online sources, coordinating program marketing events such as an intern open house, outreach and selection of dietetic interns. This includes establishing an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for planning and coordinating intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters and community affiliations. This may include establishing, administering, maintaining and coordinating affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum. They coordinate maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies and resolve policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations. 15 Dietetic Internship Directors provide and/or coordinate preceptor training and ensure ongoing preceptor competency. They provide direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training and ongoing education programs related to the dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors ensure timely completion of rotation evaluation and meet with interns to ensure progress towards program completion. They issue the trainee verification statement of internship completion and maintain permanent records as required by ACEND®. In accordance with ACEND® requirements, Dietetic Internship Directors in VA must be full-time employees.

(4) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. Skill in utilizing data for program improvement to ensure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.
2. Ability to coordinate class schedules, training activities, seminars and supervised practice experience within the health care system and affiliated sites.
3. Ability to implement all aspects of an internship program including developing program goals and objectives, curriculum and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
4. Ability to oversee the process for the selection of students for the internship program. (e) Ability to evaluate progress towards meeting core competencies

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.