Clinical Dietitian

Overview

Summary
:
This position is located in the Clinical Section of the Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) at VA New Jersey Health Care System (VANJHS). Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian position within the Clinical Section of NFS. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers — the Veteran — the Veteran's caregiver and the community.

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-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement:
  In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities:
  
  Skill in delivering patient care using the Nutrition Care Process (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
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Registered Dietitian with experience in a variety of work settings - including long-term care
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

• The Dietitian provides cross coverage between East Orange and Lyons - NJ as needed - regardless of duty station assignment on record
• Travel is expected to up to 50%
• Duties include but not limited to:
  Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP) - including nutrition focused physical examinations - to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition
• Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis - evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions
• Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient
• Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment - Diagnosis - Intervention - Monitoring - Evaluation (ADIME) format
• Functions independently and accurately when record keeping
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team
• Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
• Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care
• Maintains productivity standards
• Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and completes patient encounters using approved systems
• Ensures continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans
• Leads activities in the implementation of new initiatives
• Uses data in the development of measures - data evaluation - and initiation of corrective actions
• Compiles with The Joint Commissions requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
• Collaborates with the Food Operations Section and department leadership to enhance the Veterans' dining experience - support patient satisfaction - and serve as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Section
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment
• Work Schedule:
  
  10:30 AM - 7:00 pm
• Telework:
  Not Available
• Virtual:
  This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
  Not Authorized