Dietitian at Seattle

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 919110

 

 

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/

Note: 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-9 to GS-11. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top

This is a bargaining unit position.

This position is assigned to the Pharmacy and Nutrition Service Line, Seattle Division, Seattle, WA.

The Clinical Dietitian is the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned clients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. The Clinical Dietitian supports the facility’s mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers, the client, the client’s family and the community. The increasing complexity and specialization in nutrition requires that the clinical dietitian have expertise in a wide range of disease entities, treatment modalities and drug/nutrient interactions.

The Clinical Dietitian will be involved in the professional practice of dietetics in accordance with the guidance set forth in Pharmacy & Nutritional Care policies and procedures including VA regulations that govern the practice of dietetics, and must possess the required knowledge and skills in order to perform the following functions:

Nutritional Care:

• Develop and implement an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient’s medical program goals and objectives.
• Calculate nut ritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluid) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions.
• Utilize assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.
• Order labs, consults per Scope of Practice/Clinical privileges.
• Evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcome of medical nutrition therapy interventions.
• Documents nutrition care plan in the patient’s medical record.

Nutrition Education:

• Assesses educational needs and provide nutrition counseling for individual and groups.
• Provide appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient’s treatment goals.
• Assist in the education of dietetic students and interns.

Business:

• Maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities to include information for scheduling and billing.
• Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.

Quality Improvement / Research:

• Participate in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures and goals.
• Maintain knowledge of current research in nutrition related area.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship: U.S. citizenship.

Education: The individual must have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, and fulfilled each of the following criteria:

Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE).

Completed a CADE accredited supervised practice program.

Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing branch of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Registration: All applicants must be registered with the CDR. Non-registered applicants who otherwise meet the minimum requirements in the basic qualification standard may be appointed as a graduate dietitian under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain CDR registration during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.  An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

GS-9:

Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, or education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or master’s or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Ability to plan and organize work of considerable difficulty and responsibility under minimal supervision.

Ability to participate in research and performance improvement studies.

Knowledge of, and ability to, apply the basic principles of enteral and parenteral nutrition support.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics and medical nutrition therapy in order to plan, develop, and independently coordinate medical nutrition therapy intervention, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities.

GS-11:

Experience or Education: At least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, or education equivalent to 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 

Knowledge of basic investigative processes and techniques in order to participate in the design of studies, collect data, interpret findings, and translate results into written and oral communication.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical dietetics and medical nutrition therapy for patients with complex medical conditions in order to plan, develop, and coordinate medical nutrition therapy intervention, interdisciplinary care plans, and nutrition education activities.

Knowledge of complex areas of clinical nutrition including management of critically ill and malnourished patients, and ability to apply medical nutrition therapy to patients with multiple co-morbidities.

Ability to act as a mentor/consultant for health care providers including registered dietitians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G20, Dietitician QUALIFICATION STANDARD , dated March 17, 2006.

VA Handbook 5005 available at http://www.va.gov/ohrm/joblistings/VAQualStds.doc

PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: Washington, City: Seattle, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.