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)
• Grade Requirements for the GS-12 Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS11)
• 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: (a) Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition-related activities
• (b) Skill in utilizing evidence- based practice guidelines to establish or modify goals and improve patient outcomes
• (c) Ability to communicate in writing to develop policies and standard operating procedures
• (d) Ability to serve as a nutrition expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development
• (e) Ability to lead research or performance improvement studies
• (f) Ability to present complex nutrition information to a large group of health care providers to persuade and influence provision of care
• 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
• Preferred Experience: CDCES certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.