Health Technician (Dietetic)

Full Job Description

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-5.

At the GS-3 and GS-4 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence.

You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-5.

Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor contingent upon satisfactory performance, and availability of higher level work.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/27/2026. Basic Requirements: a.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

To qualify for this position at the GS-3 level, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of general experience.

General experience is (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area (i.e.

nutrition, food service, etc.) of the occupation. OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of (1) full year of education above high school level that included study in medical, health, or related fields.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and general experience, as listed above.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

To qualify for this position at the GS-4 level, you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience.

General experience is (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area (i.e.

nutrition, food service, etc.) of the occupation.

Specialized experience is experience where you applied knowledge of quantity food service operations, nutrition, food items and appropriate quantities; provide information or assistance to customers; use computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

OR EDUCATION: Successful completion education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position (i.e.

nutrition, dietary therapy, food and nutrition science, food service systems management, etc.).

This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience, as listed above.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

To qualify for this position at the GS-5 level, you must meet one of the following: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal Service that has given you the knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Health Technician (Dietetics).

Qualifying specialized experience includes: Experience where you applied knowledge of quantity food service operations, proper nutrition, food items and appropriate quantities; working with clients, patients, and/or, customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; use computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.

OR EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position (i.e.

nutrition, dietary therapy, food and nutrition science, food service systems management, etc.).

This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR COMBINATION: Equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as listed above.

The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the position (i.e. nutrition, dietary therapy, food and nutrition science, food service systems management, etc.).

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials.

Education cannot be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services Food Service: Knowledge of preparing and serving food for consumption Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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 and responsibilities include: 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 DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Earliest 5:00am to latest 8:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855, PD99855S, and PD99855A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized