Clinical Dietitian - Casa Grande, United States - Department Of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

SOME LOCATIONS* are eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

This is an open continuous announcement and scheduled to close on Monday, May 6th, 2024 or when no longer needed. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available for various locations as vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations but may later occur prior to the closing date. Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

Duties listed below are for full performance level GS-11, developmental grade (GS-7 and GS-9) duties will differ in complexity and oversight.

• Conducts a nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
• Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives.
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
• Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions.
• Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems.
• Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs.
• Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention.
• Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem.
• Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals, assisting in implementation of new initiatives, and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section, as applicable.
• Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions, as applicable.
• Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessment of patients receiving enteral (EN) and/or Parenteral nutrition (PN).
• Orders labs, diets, and consults per Scope of Practice / Clinical privileges.
• Documents nutrition care plan in the patient's medical record, including nutrition assessment data, MNT initiated and recommendations, results of nutrition counseling, patient consents and discharge planning.
• Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups, incorporating a learning approach that considers the cultural, religious, educational and medical situation of the patient.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing techniques to evaluate patient and/or caregiver's readiness to learn and potential for changing behaviors.
• Evaluates achievement of learning objectives by the patient and/or family. Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient's level of understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
• Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and counsels / communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
• Participates in the orientation and training of new staff (e.g., Food Service Employees, dietetic interns, clinical dietitians, etc.)

1. *Baltimore/Loch Raven, MD VA Medical Center
2. *Perry Point, MD VA Medical Center
3. *Martinsburg, WV VA Medical Center

1. **Tifton, GA
2. **Perry, GA
3. **Dublin, GA
4. **Gainesville, FL
5. **Gaylord, MI
6. **Amarillo, TX
7. **Palm Desert, CA
8. **Murrieta, CA
9. **Loma Linda, CA
10. **Redlands, CA
11. **Prescott, AZ
12. **Hot Springs, SD