Summary

The primary purpose of the Clinical Dietetic Technician 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 Dietetics software.

Qualifications

Grade Determinations: GS-06

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience (1) Experience
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• NOTE: Possession of the Dietetic Technician - Registered (DTR) credential can be substituted for the one year of specialized experience
• (2) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to meeting the experience or certification requirements for this grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of nutrition screening process
• (b) Knowledge of programs and systems used to manage patient diet orders and preferences
• (c) Skill in conducting diet education to selected groups of patients and individuals
• (d) Ability to work collaboratively with patients and coworkers to provide nutrition care
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Handles patient meal service orders
• Completes quality monitors to ensure food items/menu selections for regular and therapeutic diets are prepared and served appropriately (i.e
• accuracy - timeliness - appearance - and temperature - dysphagia food testing)
• Ensures all food/supplies are covered - labeled - and dated
• Stores - rotates and inventories stock items and disposes outdated food/beverages
• Advises supervisor of any special orders or changes needed that may impact food production - including instances when substitutions are needed due to food preferences
• Collaborates with Dietitians regarding food/drug interactions and notifies clinical staff of potential issues
• Follows policies and procedures for patient feeding - including but not limited to missed patient meals - late tray requests - patient meal ordering - and adherence to prescribed therapeutic diet
• Conducts meal rounds on units after tray delivery to ensure patient satisfaction and provides service recovery and meal corrections when needed
• Triages calls from inpatient/outpatient clinics and procedure areas related to patient meal/nourishments
• Assists patients in selection of the proper foods according to their individual diet
• Takes appropriate action to maximize patient satisfaction with meal service
• Answers questions and provides information about menu and food items
• Conducts patient rounds to discuss menu available food items and ways to order meals
• Enters meal orders into a computerized system
• Retrieves computerized information/printouts to assist with tray and/or nourishment assembly
• Collecting - compiling - and entering data from patient satisfaction surveys
• Prints lists - reports - labels - and tray tickets following established local procedures
• Work Schedule: 5:00am-1:30pm - Sunday-Thursday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized