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: Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice), GS-0630-12: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also possess: 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 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 (BC-ADM) or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) certification are qualifying
• Commonly held certifications include Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR)
• Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG)
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist-Advanced Practitioner (RDN-AP)
• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
• At least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Skill in leading a team in the implementation of nutrition related activities
• Skill in utilizing evidenced 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: Diabetes education needed for this position
• 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.