Clinical Dietitian

Quick Facts

• Role: Clinical Dietitian (Home Based Primary Care – HBPC)

• Schedule: Tue 8:00am–4:30pm; Wed 8:00am–4:30pm; Thu 8:00am–12:00pm

• Telework: Ad-hoc (not a virtual position)

• Service: Geriatrics and Extended Care Service

Description

Serve as the medical nutrition expert responsible for independently planning, developing, and directing nutritional care activities for assigned patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments for patients at nutritional risk

• Develop and implement individualized medical nutrition therapy plans using the Nutrition Care Process (NCP)

• Obtain and interpret medical information to determine risk, assess nutritional status, and develop specialized care plans for multiple disease processes

• Calculate nutritional requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes, fluids) and diet restrictions/food–drug interactions

• Develop therapeutic nutrition support plans, including enteral and parenteral nutrition

• Use assessment and evaluation techniques that consider age-specific needs and religious/ethnic concerns

• Order labs, diets, and consults within scope of practice/clinical privileges

• Evaluate and monitor effectiveness and outcomes; review interventions based on measurable results

• Assess caregiver capacity to prepare recommended meals

• Provide nutrition counseling to patients, family members, and caregivers, including budgeting, menu planning, purchasing, preparation, storage, and sanitation

• Provide follow-up and refer to outpatient counseling, community, or home health services as appropriate

• Assist in education of dietetic students/interns; plan learning experiences and evaluate performance

• Support station committees; assist with patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols

• Participate in orientation/training of new dietitians and complete assigned special projects

• Travel to other VA campuses and CBOCs as required

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) with CDR registration

• Subject to background/security investigation and may require completion of credentialing

• Valid unrestricted driver’s license and safe driving record

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation

• Complete required online onboarding

• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Successfully complete a required 1-year or 2-year trial period

• For GS-09: 1 year experience equivalent to GS-7 or a master’s degree in dietetics/closely related field

• For GS-11: 1 year experience equivalent to GS-09 as an RDN/RD equivalent

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases

• Paid time off: 37–50 days annual paid time off per year (annual leave, sick leave, federal holidays)

• Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave after 12 months of employment

• Child care subsidy for eligible employees (after 60 days employment, subject to income and eligibility rules)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options