Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

• Leads dietitians and speciality multidisciplinary teams in developing nutrition related services, policies, procedures and/or protocols.
• Provides comprehensive medical nutritional care applying the NCP in a specialty program, and/or a variety of patient care settings. Bases individualized nutrition interventions on the best available research and/or evidence-based guidelines and best practices.
• Provides nutrition education to individuals, small and large groups, peers, licensed practitioner(s), medical students, interns, and residents as applicable.
• Provides consultative services regarding advanced therapies, policies, procedures, and research in the provision of quality nutritional care.
• Develops, monitors, and directs practice-specific benchmarks based on standards of care or national initiatives.
• Utilizes knowledge, expertise, principles and/or current research to plan, implement and evaluate organizational initiatives.
• Leads the implementation of new nutrition initiatives or a change in practice to achieve strategic goals.
• Establishes goals, measures outcomes and reports progress toward meeting goals to medical center committees, health care teams and/or professional groups.
• Leads staff, creates, and validates competencies and develops training activities
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule:8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
Telework: AD-HOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD99523S
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.
• 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 dentification 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:
GS-12 Advanced Level Practice:

Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Credentials. Advanced level practice dietitians must possess an advanced practice credential :Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC).

Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. An advanced level practice dietitian in nutrition support, renal, oncology, geriatric, or diabetes nutrition specialties oversees the nutrition therapy of the most complex and/or high risk patients. The dietitian provides consultant services to VHA staff, conducts comprehensive nutrition assessment and diagnosis which may include the nutrition focused physical exam. The individual coordinates education programs for facility staff and serves as an education resource, instructing physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, interns, residents, and students on the current research and practice in the specialty area; maintains productivity standards, manages clinical resources, and conducts and/or participates in nutrition research studies and communicates findings through reports, abstracts, presentations, and publications.

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. *Ability to develop, maintain, and supervise a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies to assure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.
2. *Knowledge of the principles of program management and oversight required to develop program goals and objectives, administer and monitor program, evaluate program outcomes/accomplishments, set and redefine priorities, and implement effective solutions in processes/systems as needed.
3. Ability to act as a consultant for staff.
4. Ability to mentor and educate peers and other multidisciplinary team members in complex issues, procedures and practices.
5. Ability to make presentations on topics regarding food, nutrition and health issues.
6. Ability to make high level decisions with a focus on delivering patient care and achieving program outcomes.
7. Ability to contribute to evidence analysis process to affect practice and identify and create new practice opportunities.

Preferred Experience: Specialized certification in Nutrition Support.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20

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.

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.