Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration ( VHA ), Topeka, KS ( VISN 15). The Dietitian is responsible for independently planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs.

Responsibilities Nutritional Care:

1. Conducts a comprehensive nutrition assessment utilizing the Nutrition Care Process ( NCP ) for assigned patients. 2. Develops and implements an individualized plan for Medical Nutrition Therapy ( MNT ) in accordance with the patient's medical program goals and objectives. 3. Performs a Nutrition Focused Physical Exam ( NFPE ) during assessments to determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition. 4. Calculates nutrient requirements (calories, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, electrolytes and fluids) and necessary diet restrictions or food/drug interactions. 5. Evaluates patterns and relationships among data obtained and possible root causes for nutrition problems. 6. Tailors diet prescription to each individual patient according to physical and metabolic needs. With an understanding of the patient's health condition, designs the nutritional treatment plan with consideration for psychosocial, behavioral, physical activity, ethnic and cultural factors to obtain desirable outcomes and promote long term adherence to a medical nutrition care plan. 7. Prioritizes the importance of nutrition problems for optimal health, recovery from illness, management of chronic disease or disease prevention. 8. Utilizes evidenced-based nutrition practice guidelines and Whole Health Principles to develop shared goals with the patient and formulates a plan of care that is focused on the etiology of the nutrition problem. 9. Actively supports veteran centric food service operations with a food forward approach through knowledge of computer software programs related to food service systems and through interfacing with the food service section to ensure patient satisfaction with meals, assisting in implementation of new initiatives, and acting as a liaison between clinical units/wards and the food service section. 10. Works cooperatively with foodservice staff to assure conformance to diet prescriptions. 11. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support, including suitable route, formula, and rate of administration. Provides initial and on-going nutritional assessmen To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account