Qualifications

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)
• 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 above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment
• Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice), GS-12: Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Certification
• Must hold an advanced practice certification from a nationally recognized certifying body such as the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists or the National Board of Nutrition Certification
• The certification must be directly related to the assignment being filled
• For example, where the assignment requires diabetes management, a Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists certification is qualifying
• Commonly held certifications include Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition
• Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist-Advanced Practitioner
• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the experience and certification above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities
• Skill in utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes
• Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures
• Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development
• Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies
• Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care
• Preferred Experience: Board Certification as CSO (Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), or Board Certified - Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) clinician preferred
• 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.