Health Technician (Dietetic)

Veterans Health Administration • Waco, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Dietetic), also known as an NFS Ambassador, works within Nutrition and Food Services at a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The position provides customer service, administrative, and food service support to help ensure Veterans receive accurate, timely meals and nourishments consistent with prescribed therapeutic diets.

The technician processes patient meal orders using computerized dietetics software, conducts meal rounds, responds to meal-service inquiries, and coordinates between Veterans, registered dietitians, nursing personnel, and food service staff. The role includes reviewing diet orders and menu selections, preparing meal tickets and related documentation, identifying discrepancies, coordinating substitutions and special requests, and maintaining records and contingency procedures.

The position also supports meal tray preparation and delivery, prepares and distributes nourishments and supplemental feedings, verifies patient identity before meal delivery, and maintains food storage and supply areas. The technician supports quality improvement activities and daily Nutrition Communication Center operations, and may assist with staff training. The work schedule is part-time: Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-4, such as hospital food-service duties, tray assembly procedures, use of dietetics software, familiarity with regular and modified diets, assistance with food selections, following verbal and written instructions, and use of computer equipment, phone systems, and printers; alternatively, qualifying education or a combination of education and experience may be used.
• To substitute education for GS-05 experience, completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree 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.
• For the education-and-experience combination, post-high-school education beyond the second year must include directly related courses and be combined with specialized experience to total at least 100% of the qualification requirement.
• Submit transcripts if using education to qualify; qualifying education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Complete a one-year probationary period and receive written certification for continued employment.
• Meet background/suitability investigation requirements; designated or random drug testing may be required.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Submit a complete application package, including required resume and transcripts.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• The work requires walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, stooping, reaching, pushing, and pulling; frequent lifting or moving of objects up to 20 pounds and pushing loaded carts of trays or nourishments.
• Nutrition Communication Center duties may involve prolonged sitting and extensive repetitive keyboard and computer-mouse use, as well as telephone and writing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous customer service to Veterans, family members, nursing staff, and other healthcare personnel.
• Receive and process patient meal orders using computerized dietetics software and established procedures.
• Conduct patient meal rounds, assess satisfaction, resolve meal-service concerns, and coordinate corrections.
• Act as a liaison among Veterans, registered dietitians, nursing personnel, and food service staff regarding meal-service needs.
• Respond to inquiries about meal orders, late trays, missed meals, nourishments, and available menu selections.
• Provide basic information about therapeutic diets and refer complex dietary questions to clinical nutrition personnel.
• Enter, retrieve, and verify meal orders, diet modifications, food preferences, and nourishment requests in computerized dietetics software.
• Review diet orders and menu selections for accuracy and compliance with prescribed dietary restrictions.
• Prepare, print, and review meal tickets, menus, nourishment labels, and related food-service documentation.
• Identify and communicate discrepancies involving diet orders, nutritional supplements, and special meal requirements.
• Coordinate menu changes, meal substitutions, and special dietary requests with food-service supervisors and clinical staff.
• Maintain accurate records and assist with contingency procedures during computerized system interruptions.
• Support daily Nutrition Communication Center operations and assist with training staff as needed.
• Assist with meal tray preparation, distribution, delivery, and retrieval according to established procedures.
• Prepare and distribute patient nourishments and supplemental feedings according to prescribed orders.
• Verify patient identity using two identifiers before delivering meals.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and proper storage of food and nourishment supplies.
• Monitor food storage areas, rotate inventory, and remove outdated food and beverages.
• Support quality improvement activities related to meal accuracy, food safety, and patient satisfaction.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and the hiring agency can provide details.

What This Job Offers

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