Health Technician (Dietetic)

Veterans Health Administration • Philadelphia, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in Nutrition and Food Service at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Health Technician (Dietetic) provides administrative and customer service support for the hospital food service program. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

The role handles patient meal service orders, interprets diet orders, and supports meal ticket preparation and review. The technician provides professional customer service to patients and staff, works with dietitians and clinical staff on diet-related concerns, and helps ensure meals comply with patient preferences and current therapeutic diet orders. The position also uses computer systems to retrieve and record information related to meals, recipes, menus, and inventory.

Work is performed in a hospital environment with potential exposure to contagious diseases and changing temperatures or humidity. Standard precautions may require personal protective equipment. The work includes office and food-service-related activity and requires attention to ergonomics and safety precautions.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet GS-5 qualification requirements through at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4; successful completion of a four-year bachelor's-level course of study with a major or at least 24 semester hours in directly related subjects; or an equivalent combination of relevant post-high-school education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience, if used to qualify, must include knowledge of quantity food service operations, proper nutrition, food items and appropriate quantities; experience assisting clients, patients, or customers; and use of computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Selected applicants for this testing-designated position must submit to urinalysis; refusal or a verified positive result prevents appointment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Education used to qualify must be from an accredited institution and supported by transcripts submitted with the application.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Handle patient meal service orders and enter meal orders into the Dietetics Software system.
• Provide professional and courteous customer service by telephone, email, and in person.
• Collaborate with dietitians regarding food/drug interactions and notify clinical staff of potential issues with meal service and delivery.
• Interpret and process diet orders.
• Print, prepare, and review meal tickets.
• Triage calls from inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and procedure areas concerning patient meal trays or nourishments.
• Retrieve computerized information and printouts to assist with tray or nourishment assembly, including standing orders, nourishment labels, tabulated recipe lists, and other information needed for meal delivery.
• Provide basic-level education and information on therapeutic diets.
• Interpret diet activity and patient information to ensure meal trays comply with patient requests, preferences, and current therapeutic diet orders.
• Communicate patient concerns to a registered dietitian or dietetic technician.
• Verify physician orders for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, tube feeding orders, and nutritional supplements.
• Use a computer to record, retrieve, and print recipes, menus, and inventory reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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