Health Technician (Dietetic)

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Dietetic) works in the Nutrition and Food Services service line at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center in Miami, Florida. The position supports safe, efficient, timely, patient-centered care by applying knowledge of therapeutic diets, basic nutrition principles, food service operations, modified diets, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) dietetics software. The technician provides basic diet education based on patients’ prescribed diets and responds to dissatisfaction with appropriate corrective action, including coordination with clinical staff, service recovery planning, and documentation.

The role includes patient interaction and meal-service support, as well as clerical and administrative work. The work schedule is between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with shifts that include weekend and holiday rotations. The supervisor determines and approves the schedule, which may vary according to facility and patient-care needs. Telework is not authorized, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Knowledge of therapeutic diets, basic nutrition principles, and food service operations.
• Knowledge of routine modified diets and combinations of diet modifications.
• Knowledge of commercial off-the-shelf dietetics software and its required functions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and good customer service.
• For the experience pathway: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4, including relevant technician experience applying the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position.
• Specialized experience may include hospital food-service duties, tray assembly procedures, use of dietetics software, familiarity with regular and modified diets, assisting with food selections, following verbal and written instructions, and using computer equipment, phone systems, and printers.
• Applicants qualifying through experience must describe the nature of their duties and responsibilities and the number of hours worked per week.
• A qualifying education pathway is a bachelor's degree or four years of education above high school with a major or at least 24 semester hours in directly related subjects, such as nutrition, dietary therapy, food and nutrition science, or food service systems management.
• A combination of qualifying post-high-school education beyond the second year or 60 semester hours and specialized experience may also meet the requirements.
• Education used to qualify must be from an accredited institution; transcripts are required when qualifying wholly or partly through education.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use, a background/security investigation, and online onboarding.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Must be able to meet the position's physical requirements, with accommodation or workplace adjustment where applicable.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in a hospital setting.
• ServSafe manager certification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient rounds to discuss available menu items and how to order meals.
• Handle patient meal-service orders in person or by phone.
• Interact with Veterans, dietitians, nursing staff, and other medical center employees.
• Receive patient meal orders and preferences, and meal and nourishment requests from nursing, clinical staff, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Advise the supervisor of special orders or changes that may affect food production, including substitutions needed because of food preferences.
• Take appropriate action within assigned authority to maximize patient satisfaction with meal service.
• Complete select and non-select menus as required.
• Ensure food and supplies are covered, labeled, and dated.
• Retrieve computerized information to assist with tray and nourishment assembly, such as standing orders, nourishment labels, tabulated recipe lists, and other information used for meal delivery.
• Provide information and education about facility therapeutic diets to patients, guests, and nursing staff.
• Assist patients in selecting foods appropriate to their individual diets.
• Provide basic diet education to patients based on their prescribed diets.
• Address dissatisfied patients through appropriate corrective action, coordination with clinical staff, service recovery planning, and documentation.
• Perform clerical and administrative duties in support of the service.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Specific benefits depend on position type; applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level