Health Technician (Dietetic)

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital food service program. The incumbent performs routine duties that require exceptional customer service, computer skills, proper phone etiquette, proficiency in special food service and therapeutic diet procedures, a broad knowledge of routine modified diets, combinations of diet modifications and knowledge of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Dietetics software and required functions.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and an online assessment
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period
• Possess technician experience that requires application of knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled.
• One (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.
• Specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service.
• Examples of specialized experience include: Computerized medical record and Nutrition and Food Services COTS Dietetics Software programs.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in person and via telephone with people from a wide variety of backgrounds while maintaining good public relations and high level of customer service.
• Computer operations and ability to use computer equipment, phone system and printers.
• Knowledge of tray assembly area procedures for set up, assembly, tray distribution and pick-up; and nourishment and tube feeding distribution.
• Organize work, analyze data, and work under time constraints.

Nice To Haves

• Completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position.
• Combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. To calculate, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

Responsibilities

• Handles patient meal service orders, and enters meal orders into Dietetics Software system
• Provides professional and courteous customer service via telephone, e-mail, and in-person
• Collaborates with Dietitians regarding Food/Drug Interactions, notifying clinical staff of potential issues with meal service and delivery
• Interprets and processes diet orders
• Prints, prepares, and reviews meal tickets
• Triages calls from inpatient units or outpatient clinics and procedure areas relating to patient meal trays or nourishments
• Retrieves computerized information/printouts to assist with tray and/or nourishment assembly such as standing orders, nourishment labels, tabulated recipe lists, and other simple information to assist in meal delivery
• Provides basic-level education and information on therapeutic diets
• Correctly interprets diet activity and patient information, to ensure meals trays contain food items adhering to patient requests and preferences, and current therapeutic diet order
• Communicates patient concerns with registered dietitian or dietetic technician
• Verifies physician orders for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, tube feeding orders and nutritional supplements
• Uses a computer to record, retrieve and print recipes, menus, and inventory reports
• Performs other related duties as assigned

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.

What This Job Offers

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