Clinical Dietitian- Mental Health Job Opening

Clinical Dietitian- Mental Health

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Tuskegee, Alabama
$62,236.00 - $80,912.00 a year — Full-time, Part-time
Category: Nutritionist

    Duties

    Summary

    The Mental Health Inpatient 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. he/she supports the facility's mission and coordinates nutritional care with other health care providers the client, the client's family and the community.

    Responsibilities

    Medical Nutrition Therapy

    • Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment for patients at nutrition risk
    • Develops and implements an individualized plan for medical nutrition therapy in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. Accurately obtains and interprets medical information pertinent to the patient's nutritional care to determine risk, assess nutritional status and develop individual specialized care plans to simultaneously address several disease processes.
    • Conducts regular meals observations to ensure the accuracy, palatability and appropriateness of food served and to elicit patient food preferences.
    • Works cooperatively with Food Service staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions.
    • Orders labs, diets, supplements and consults per scope of practice/clinical privileges.
    Nutrition Education
    • Assesses education needs and provides nutrition counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, education and medical situation of the patient. Maintains lesson plan file folder for assigned groups to include learning objectives, content, instructional activity material and evaluation processes.
    • Provides appropriate follow-up in accordance with patient's treatment goals, referring patients for outpatient counseling, community or home health service as appropriate.
    • Documents all nutrition education in the medical record according to facility policy including topics covered, education materials provided, an assessment of the client's comprehension level to the education given and the expected compliance.
    • Serves on Health Education committees as assigned.
    • Document progress towards meeting defined goals during educational follow-up.
    Business Functions
    • Maintains productivity standards and practices, effective time management and prioritization of tasks.
    • Manages resources (time, materials and staff) in a cost-effective manner.
    • Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms and protocols.
    • Assists in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal and TJC standards.
    • Protects confidentiality of patient information.
    • Completes special projects as assigned.
    Quality Improvement Indicators and Research
    • Supports Performance Improvement activities by participating in the development of nutritional care indicators and evaluation of criteria collecting continuous quality improvement data and monitoring outcomes.
    • Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related areas. Analyzes and interprets nutrition-related research related to patient care.
    • May participate in the design and implementation of clinical research activities in the medical center of the clinical nutrition member.
    Participation as a Member of the Health Care Team
    • Serve as the nutrition expert on the interdisciplinary treatment leams (i.e. Nutrition Support Team, Paliative Care Team, Hospice Team, Pressure Ulcer Team, Dysphagia Team, etc.) in discharge planning meetings and on ward rounds with physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals.
    • Presents seminars, workshops and lectures to convey current nutrition information new and changing concepts.
    • Determines need for home care to assure continuity of care and makes appropriate referrals to Home Based Primary Care, Social Work Service, Satellite clinics or other community agencies.
    • Assists in patient discharge planning to ensure provision of appropriate services and equipment for enteral feeding.
    Professional Development
    • Maintains dietetic registration and yearly continuing education requirements.
    • Develops and implements an individualized plan for professional growth including participation in professional organizations and activities, workshops, seminars and staff development programs.
    • Participates in departmental and/or interdisciplinary meetings, committees and projects.
    • Performs other related duties as required

    Work Schedule: Full-Time Employment: Shift vary from 5:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m., 8:a.m. to 4:30.pm., and 11:00am to 7:30 pm. Weekend and Holidays.

    Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

    Travel Required

    Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

    Supervisory status

    No

    Promotion Potential

    11

  • Job family (Series)

    0630 Dietitian And Nutritionist

    Similar jobs

    • Clinical Dietitians
    • Dietitians
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  • Requirements

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
    • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
    • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
    • You may be required to serve a probationary period
    • Subject to a background/security investigation
    • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
    • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

    Qualifications

    To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 6/20/2019.
    Basic Requirements :
    Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
    • Registration/Certification . All applicants 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO).
    • English Language Proficiency . Dietitians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).
    • Physical Requirements . See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
    • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:a. Knowledge of best practices in the dietetics profession and in scientific literature, including knowledge of research methods, study design, data collection, interpretation of findings, and translation of results into nutrition practice.b. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory, and agency authorities.c. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.d. Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systems.2. In addition to the KSAs identified in subparagraph 1 above, candidates for clinical nutrition positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:a. Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition care and the treatment of complex cases in clinical settings in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices in the dietetics profession (e.g. assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).b. Knowledge of best practices in areas of clinical nutrition and the ability to apply nutrition interventions to patients with multiple co-morbidities.c. Ability to act as a consultant for health care providers including registered dietetic technicians, dietetic interns, nurses, physicians, medical students, and allied health professionals.3. In addition to the KSAs identified in subparagraph 1 above, candidates for food service systems management positions must demonstrate the following KSAs:a. Ability to direct food service and production with focus on customer acceptance and budgetary guidelines to include principles of menu planning, food purchasing, delivery schedules, and ability to estimate food quantities.b. Ability to develop and maintain a system of internal reviews and direct quality control and performance improvement studies.c. Knowledge of computer software programs relative to food service systemsd. Knowledge of the principles of management required to establish program goals and objectives, to plan and administer a program, coordinate associated activities, evaluate program accomplishments, redefine priorities, solve problems, and modify objectives.







    Education

    IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

    Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

    Additional information

    This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

    It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

    This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

    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.

    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.

    If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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

    NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

    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.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance

    Other

    Drug test required

    No

    Position sensitivity and risk

    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process

    Credentialing

  • Required Documents

    Required Documents

    To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

    CV/Resume
    VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .
    CDR Certification

    The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

    • DD-214
    • Other
    • Resume
    • SF-50
    • Transcript
    Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and 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 Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • Benefits

    Benefits

    A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits .

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.