The Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare is recruiting for a Dietitian (Clinical) within the Nutrition & Food Service at the Antelope Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic. The incumbent is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for Veterans, including with complex medical and nutritional needs. Providing nutrition services for individual patients and providing group nutrition education classes via telehealth and face-to-face modalities.
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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. 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. ~AND~ 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 are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. 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-7 Dietitian (Clinical): None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) related to the position being filled; OR posses a Master's Degree from a regionally accredited university or college. In addition, applicants 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. GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical): Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) related to the position being filled. In addition, applicants 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. Preferred Experience: Experience working as an outpatient clinical dietitian is preferred for this position, since the incumbent would be the solo dietitian based at this clinic and their supervisory dietitian would be located several miles away. 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.
Duties included but not limited to: Nutritional Care: 1. Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment for patients at nutritional risk. 2. Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. 3. Calculates nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. 4. Provides nutrition care for patients who are enteral nutrition dependent and/or on oral nutrition supplements. The dietitian has authority/scope to place orders for these nutrition products. 5. Utilizes assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns. Nutrition Education: 1. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational, and medical situation of the patient. 2. Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapt nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to client's level of understanding. 3. Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community or home health service as appropriate. 4. May Assists in the education of dietetic students and interns. If working with a dietetic intern, would plan learning experiences, teach, and evaluate performance. 5. Participates in community projects healthcare system events and education activities as needed/assigned. Business/Supervisory Functions: 1. Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management, and prioritizing of tasks. 2. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing. 3. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner. 4. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols. 5. Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, The Joint Commission, and Office of Inspector General standards. Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized