Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) - Inpatient Clinical Nutrition Manager
- Internship, onsite
- Veterans Health Administration
- Lexington, United States of America
- Develops, documents, tracks, and assesses program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through evaluation of data and improved program outcomes and customer experience.- Writes the self-study for re-accreditation.
- Facilitates the ACEND site visit.- Maintains up-to-date program information accessible through online sources.
- Coordinates program marketing events such as an intern open house, and outreach events.
- Executes the selection process for dietetic interns, maintaining all records as required by ACEND .
- Establishes an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection.
- Plans coordinates intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters, and community affiliations.
- Establishes, administers, maintains, and coordinates affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum.
- Coordinates maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies.
- Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations.
- Coordinates preceptor training and ensures ongoing preceptor competency.
- Provides direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, and ongoing educational programs related to the dietetic internship program.
- Ensures timely completion of rotation evaluations.
- Meets with interns to ensure progress towards program completion. When issues arise, creates action plans that give the intern every opportunity available to meet the requirements for graduation.
- Issues the trainee verification statement of internship completion and maintain permanent records as required by ACEND.
- May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- 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 dentification 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
- 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)Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
- Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential - Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
- Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: A Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below). B 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. ii 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. (b) Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
- Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment.
- Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements:
- (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
- (2) Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments.
- (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment.
- (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry in the occupation.
- English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:
Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director), GS-12.
(1) Experience. Three years of experience post registration.
(2) Education. Master's degree or higher from an accredited university or college.
(3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in utilizing data for program improvement to ensure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.
(b) Ability to coordinate class schedules, training activities, seminars and supervised practice experience within the health care system and affiliated sites.
(c) Ability to implement all aspects of an internship program including developing program goals and objectives, curriculum and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
(d) Ability to oversee the process for the selection of students for the internship program.
(e) Ability to evaluate progress towards meeting core competencies.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
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.
Education
ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND or at .
Assignment.
For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees in this assignment serve as Dietetic Internship Director. They are responsible for administering all aspects of an accredited dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors oversee the daily operations of the program and ensure education, curriculum, policies and procedures are in compliance with the ACEND® requirements and are compatible with regulations and procedures for Associated Health Trainees set forth by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. They develop, document, track and assess program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through data evaluation and improved program outcomes and customer experience. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for writing the self-study for re-accreditation and facilitating the ACEND® site visit. They are responsible for maintaining up-to-date program information accessible through online sources, coordinating program marketing events such as an intern open house, outreach and selection of dietetic interns. This includes establishing an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for planning and coordinating intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters and community affiliations. This may include establishing, administering, maintaining and coordinating affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.). They coordinate maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies and resolve policy, program and project issues associated with and outside affiliations.
Additional information
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- 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 dentification 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
- 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)Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.
- Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential - Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
- Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: A Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below). B 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 is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. ii 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. (b) Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. (c) Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. (d) Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (e) Failure to Obtain Registration. In all cases, Dietitians must actively pursue meeting registration requirements starting from their appointment date. At the time of appointment, servicing Human Resources (HR) staff in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide non-registered Dietitians the written requirement to obtain registration, the date by which they must acquire it and the consequences for not doing so by the deadline. Failure to obtain registration within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the Dietitian, GS-0630 occupation and may result in termination of employment.
- Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment.
- Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements:
- (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
- (2) Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments.
- (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment.
- (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry in the occupation.
- English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:
Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director), GS-12.
(1) Experience. Three years of experience post registration.
(2) Education. Master's degree or higher from an accredited university or college.
(3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in utilizing data for program improvement to ensure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.
(b) Ability to coordinate class schedules, training activities, seminars and supervised practice experience within the health care system and affiliated sites.
(c) Ability to implement all aspects of an internship program including developing program goals and objectives, curriculum and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
(d) Ability to oversee the process for the selection of students for the internship program.
(e) Ability to evaluate progress towards meeting core competencies.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
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.
Education
ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND or at .
Assignment.
For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees in this assignment serve as Dietetic Internship Director. They are responsible for administering all aspects of an accredited dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors oversee the daily operations of the program and ensure education, curriculum, policies and procedures are in compliance with the ACEND® requirements and are compatible with regulations and procedures for Associated Health Trainees set forth by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. They develop, document, track and assess program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through data evaluation and improved program outcomes and customer experience. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for writing the self-study for re-accreditation and facilitating the ACEND® site visit. They are responsible for maintaining up-to-date program information accessible through online sources, coordinating program marketing events such as an intern open house, outreach and selection of dietetic interns. This includes establishing an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for planning and coordinating intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters and community affiliations. This may include establishing, administering, maintaining and coordinating affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.). They coordinate maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies and resolve policy, program and project issues associated with and outside affiliations.
Additional information
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .