This full-performance clinical dietitian position serves as a medical nutrition expert within the Clinical Section of NFS. Employees autonomously apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other healthcare providers, the Veteran, their caregiver, and the community.
Responsibilities
Conduct 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
Develop and implement Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions, and modify the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes
Calculate nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions, tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient
Document MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format
Function independently and accurately when record keeping
Identify patients in need of nutritional support and recommend the appropriate mode of support, communicating appropriately with the healthcare team
Actively participate in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings
Assess educational needs and provide nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s)
Utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care
Maintain productivity standards
Maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems
Ensure continuous improvement of safe and quality care of Veterans
Lead activities in the implementation of new initiatives, using data in the development of measures, data evaluation, and initiation of corrective actions
Comply with The Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care
Collaborate 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
Perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment
Perform other assigned job duties
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Subject to background/security investigation
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements
Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment
Must pass pre-employment physical examination
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement
Serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which fitness will be evaluated
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR
Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
Non-credentialed Dietitians must have earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent
Non-credentialed Dietitians must have 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
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
Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level
Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment
Failure to Obtain Registration: Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
GS-7: None beyond the basic requirements
GS-9: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
GS-9: Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements
GS-9: Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care
GS-9: Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation)
GS-9: Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
GS-9: Ability to develop patient-centered goals
GS-9: Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies
GS-9: Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
GS-11: At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade
GS-11: Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation)
GS-11: Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes
GS-11: Skill in developing patient-centered goals
GS-11: Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies
GS-11: Skill in collaborating with stakeholders
GS-11: Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities
Education or degrees must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions
If using foreign education, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee
Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding
Important Details
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30p.m
Telework: Ad-hoc
Appointment type: Permanent
Application deadline: 10/26/2026, 11:59 PM (ET)
Application Process
Provide a complete Application Package which includes a long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
Submit documentation specified in the Required Documents section, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date
Eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire
Provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.)
If currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days, 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
Disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution 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
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email
Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview
All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications
About the Company
Employees in this assignment serve within the Clinical Section of NFS. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Welcome to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Official LinkedIn page.
