Dietitian (Informatics)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dietitian (Informatics) to plan, coordinate, and implement food service technology across the Veterans Health Administration. The role integrates nutrition knowledge with informatics to improve dining services and patient satisfaction.

The position requires RDN/RD credentials, experience with nutrition standards, and ability to manage computer systems and training materials for NCC operations.

Qualifications

• US citizenship as per VA policy.
• RDN or RD credential and active CDR registration.
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may qualify for limited appointments.
• Non-credentialed candidates must meet basic education requirements.
• Foreign education must meet ACEND standards or be evaluated.
• ACEND accreditation and verification required for eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Uses technology to enhance work within NFS.
• Manages VHA software to support meal operations.
• Enters ingredients, recipes, nutrition, and menus.
• Oversees meal production technology and temperature controls.
• Leads a menu committee and standardizes recipes.
• Costs out recipes within budget constraints.
• Develops and maintains NCC training materials.
• Manages NCC productivity reports and audits.
• Coordinates training for computer systems and informatics.
• Collaborates with clinical nutrition and leadership to improve dining.
• Supports patient satisfaction within NFS.
• Acts as ADPAC between admin, food services, clinical staff and OIT.

Skills

Nutritional standards

Food service software

Training materials

Data analysis

Staff training

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

RDN/ RD credential

ACEND program verification

Bachelor’s degree or higher

ACEND international standards

Tools

VHA software

SharePoint

Nutrition analysis tools

Job description

Summary

Dietitian (Informatics) Thoroughly knowledgeable of and responsible for planning - coordinating - and implementing food service technology as well as ensuring continuous evaluation and improvement within the service.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA)
• Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential
• Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below - but do not possess the RDN credential - may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)
• May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
• Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam
• ~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN
• A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 Dietitian (Informatics) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-9 Dietitian (Informatics) Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-7. OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college
• AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements
• (b) Ability to manage computer software programs relative to food service systems
• (c) Ability to develop training and reference materials
• (d) Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes
• (e) Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology
• (f) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders
• GS-11 Dietitian (Informatics) Experience: One year of experience as an RDN Dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-9. AND Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in managing computer software programs relative to food service systems
• (b) Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to develop menus ensuring nutritional standards are met
• (c) Skill in developing training and reference materials
• (d) Skill in evaluating data to improve outcomes
• (e) Skill in providing training related to food service systems technology
• (f) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Uses available technology to enhance the work of all employees within NFS
• Manages VHA supported software programs and/or commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) to support the effective management of food operations and patient meal services
• Enters and maintains ingredients - recipes - nutritional information and menus
• Oversees the technology used for meal production - meal service and temperature control
• Leads a menu committee
• Ensures recipes are standardized
• Costs out recipes and assures that they are within budgetary constraints
• Creates and revises menus - considering VA established guidelines - policy - patient preference - and religious and cultural considerations
• Completes nutrient analyses of regular and modified menus and ensures menus follow required diet guidelines
• Develops and maintains training and reference materials for the Nutrition Communication Center (NCC)
• Manages productivity reports for the NCC
• Completes audits for the NCC - determining action plans when results require corrective measures
• Coordinates and supports downtime procedures for the NCC - ensuring procedures remain up to date
• Coordinates all aspects of training related to computer systems - menus and informatics for NFS employees
• Collaborates with the clinical nutrition section and leadership to ensure the enhancement of the Veterans dining experience
• Supports patient satisfaction within NFS
• Acts as a department Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) between administration - food services - clinical staff - and the Office of Information Technology (Ol&T) regarding clinical information system processes
• Manages and updates the service SharePoint site
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• 0800-1630 Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD99526-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized