Dietitian (Clinical)

Clinical Dietitians coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction. 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.

English Language Proficiency. Dietitian must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - 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).

• Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential.
  • Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following :
    • Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. 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 which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. ~ AND~
    • 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. A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory .

Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements.

Grade Determinations : All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07 Requirement:
Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09 Requirement:
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level-GS-07.

OR

Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements.
(b) Ability to manage computer software programs relative to food service systems.
(c) Ability to develop training and reference materials.
(d) Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes.
(e) Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology.
(f) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 you must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in managing computer software programs relative to food service systems.
(b) Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to develop menus ensuring nutritional standards are met.
(c) Skill in developing training and reference materials.
(d) Skill in evaluating data to improve outcomes.
(e) Skill in providing training related to food service systems technology.
(f) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 . The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7, GS-9 to GS-11.

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

Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. 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: .ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory .