Dietitian (Informatics)

Veterans Health Administration • Atlanta, GA

4d

About The Position

Employees in this full-performance-level Nutrition and Food Services position plan, coordinate, and implement food service technology and continuously evaluate and improve service operations. The Informatics Dietitian independently manages VHA-supported or commercial off-the-shelf software that supports food operations and patient meal services, including ingredient, recipe, nutrition-data, and menu maintenance. The role oversees technology used for meal production, meal service, and temperature control; leads a menu committee; and ensures recipes and menus meet nutritional, policy, patient-preference, cultural, religious, and budgetary requirements.

The position oversees training and reference materials, productivity reporting, audits, and downtime procedures for the Nutrition Communication Center (NCC). As a subject matter expert in nutrition informatics and food service technology, the Dietitian trains Nutrition and Food Services employees on computer systems, menus, and informatics. The role collaborates with clinical nutrition staff and leadership to improve Veterans’ dining experiences and patient satisfaction, serves as the department ADPAC liaison among administration, food services, clinical staff, and OI&T, and maintains the service SharePoint site.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on agency need. Ad-hoc telework may be available in accordance with agency policy; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) credential, registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), subject to applicable grandfathering provisions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Skill in managing computer software programs related to food service systems.
• Skill in applying nutrition knowledge to develop menus that meet nutritional standards.
• Skill in developing training and reference materials.
• Skill in evaluating data to improve outcomes.
• Skill in providing training related to food service systems technology.
• Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the required application and onboarding processes and provide acceptable identification.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Foreign degrees used to meet qualifications must be evaluated by ACEND and meet its International Dietitian Education standards; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Responsibilities

• Standardize recipes and lead a menu committee.
• Enter and maintain ingredients, recipes, nutritional information, and menus in food service systems.
• Cost recipes and ensure they remain within budgetary constraints.
• Create, revise, and sign off on menus; complete nutrient analyses of regular and modified menus; and ensure menus meet required dietary guidelines and VA requirements, including patient preferences and religious and cultural considerations.
• Oversee technology used for meal production, meal service, and temperature control.
• Develop and maintain NCC training and reference materials.
• Manage NCC productivity reports and complete audits.
• Coordinate and support NCC downtime procedures and keep them up to date.
• Coordinate and deliver training for Nutrition and Food Services employees on computer systems, menus, and informatics.
• Evaluate service data and support continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with clinical nutrition staff and leadership to improve the Veterans’ dining experience and patient satisfaction.
• Serve as department ADPAC and liaison among administration, food services, clinical staff, and OI&T regarding clinical information system processes.
• Manage and update the service SharePoint site.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request prior-service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed