Dietitian (Clinical)

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is seeking a Clinical Dietitian to support the teleMOVE weight-management program. This position delivers comprehensive virtual nutrition care, coordinates with interdisciplinary providers and caregivers, and applies expertise across a wide range of medical conditions. The Dietitian conducts detailed assessments, identifies nutrition diagnoses, and develops evidence-based interventions to support Veteran health goals.

30 Day Hiring Model

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

Dietitian is responsible for supporting the TeleMove Program at the Phoenix VAMC. This includes working with Veterans and the Home Telehealth interdisciplinary team to provide nutrition care and administrative support for Veterans enrolled in TeleMove.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) for assigned patients.
• Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition.
• Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions.
• Adapts nutrition education materials and counseling techniques to the patient understanding, which frequently involves simplifying complex dietary restrictions.
• Identifies drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug incompatibilities and counsels/communicates with the patient regarding the impact on nutrition status and/or nutrient utilization.
• Utilizes virtual care technology such as VA Video Connect (VVC) and Secure Messaging (SM) to improve access to nutrition care.
• Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols.
• Participates in planning and developing nutrition-related policies, procedures, and goals.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 07:00am-3:30pm but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD99529S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.
• 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.

GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical) Grade Determination:

1. Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical) Grade Determination:

1. Experience (must be clearly annotated on your resume). At least one year of Dietitian(Clinical) experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). OR
2. Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (must be clearly annotated on your resume). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   1. Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements.
   2. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care.
   3. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
   4. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
   5. Ability to develop patient-centered goals.
   6. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies.
   7. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) Grade Determination:

1. Experience(must be clearly annotated on your resume). At least one year of Dietitian (Clinical) experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09).
2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities(must be clearly annotated on your resume). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
   1. Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation).
   2. Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes.
   3. Skill in developing patient-centered goals.
   4. Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies.
   5. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
   6. Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.

Preferred Experience: Experience working as a Dietitian with teleMOVE or other tele-nutrition modalities.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

• 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.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.