Dietitian (Clinical)

Employees in this assignment may serve in a Dietitian (Clinical)position within the Clinical Section of NFS. They perform increasingly complex tasks as they acquire skills in clinical nutrition to apply evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver and the community in the outpatient setting.Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Registration.
  • All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
  • Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential.
    • (a) 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).
    • (b) 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.
    • (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level.
    • (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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).

Grade Determinations :

• a. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07.
  • (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• b. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09.
  • (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR
  • (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
  • (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • (a) Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
    • (b) Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
    • (c) Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
    • (d) Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
    • (e) Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
    • (f) Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
    • (g) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
• c. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-11.
  • (1) Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
  • (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
  • (b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
  • (c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
  • (d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
  • (e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
  • (f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience: Counseling in an outpatient setting, use of motivational interviewing and health coaching.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute 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: . 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: .