Health Technician (Dietetic)

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital Food Service program, within Nutrition and Food.

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/04/2026.

Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists.

Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled; OR; GS-5: Successful completion of 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.

Specialized Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Health Technician (Dietetic) position.

Specialized experience includes performing duties in food service in a hospital environment; knowledge of tray assembly area procedures; using dietetics software programs; familiarity with regular and modified diets; assisting with food selections; following verbal and written instructions; and using computer equipment, phone system, and printers.

This position requires effective communication skills both verbally and in writing and good customer service.

NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Major Duties consist of but not limited to: Utilize a computer to enter and retrieve basic information.

Utilize a dietetic software programs to retrieve diet orders, recipes, and menu and inventory data. Print and assembles packets.

Properly operates telephone equipment to transfer or place calls on hold. Provides professional and courteous customer service. Triages telephone calls from customers and/or patients.

Provide basic-level education and information on therapeutic diets to patients, guests, and nursing staff. Resolve customer and/or patient complaints.

Interpret diet activity and patient information, to ensure appropriate food items on meals trays.

Verify physician orders for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, tube feeding orders and nutritional supplements.

Assist with food selections, ensuring appropriateness of menu selections for complex diets. Communicate with customers in a pleasant, friendly, personable, and professional manner.

Attend to both verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication.

Maintain the vital connection between Nutrition Communication Center (NCC) Associates, Registered Dietitian, higher graded dietetic technicians, food service staff, Nursing, patients and guests.

Work Schedule: Varies Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99796S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized