Health Tech - Dietetic

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Salt Lake City, Utah is looking for a Nutrition Communication Center Associate. This position involves providing administrative support in the Nutrition and Food Service, managing patient meal orders and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Ideal candidates will have proficiency in English and experience in hospital food service. Responsibilities include collaboration with dietitians, managing diet orders, and supporting patient meal service. The role requires physical activity within a hospital environment.

Qualifications

• For GS-4: At least 6 months of general experience or related education.
• For GS-5: At least 1 year of specialized experience in hospital food service.

Responsibilities

• Handle patient meal service orders and enter them into the Dietetics Software system.
• Provide professional customer service via telephone, email, and in-person.
• Collaborate with Dietitians regarding food/drug interactions.
• Maintain accurate meal tickets and process diet orders.
• Provide education on therapeutic diets.
• Communicate patient concerns with registered dietitian.

Skills

Proficiency in basic written and spoken English

Customer service skills

Education

Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester-hour coursework in nutrition or related field

Job description

Summary

Position located in the Nutrition and Food Service (N&FS) of the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Serve as a Nutrition Communication Center (NCC) Associate providing administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital food service program.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• For GS‑4: At least 6 months of general experience, one year of related education, or an equivalent combination.
• For GS‑5: At least 1 year of specialized experience in hospital food service, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 24 semester‑hour coursework in nutrition or a related field, or an equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Handle patient meal service orders and enter them into the Dietetics Software system.
• Provide professional and courteous customer service via telephone, e‑mail, and in‑person.
• Collaborate with Dietitians regarding food/drug interactions and notify clinical staff of potential issues.
• Interpret and process diet orders and maintain accurate meal tickets.
• Print, prepare, and review meal tickets.
• Triage calls from inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and procedure areas related to patient meal trays or nourishment.
• Retrieve computerized information to assist with tray and nourishment assembly (standing orders, nourishment labels, recipe lists).
• Provide basic‑level education on therapeutic diets and ensure meals meet therapeutic diet orders.
• Communicate patient concerns with the registered dietitian or dietetic technician.
• Verify physician orders for unusual diets, tube‑feeding orders, and nutritional supplements.
• Use computer to record, retrieve, and print recipes, menus, and inventory reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Walk, stand, bend, lift up to 20 pounds, and move trays and carts.
• Long periods of sitting and repetitive hand and finger motions for keyboard and mouse use.
• May require walking indoors or outdoors, standing or walking for extended periods, and occasional stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling.
• Work conducted in a hospital environment with potential exposure to contagious diseases; may require PPE.

Drug‑Testing Policy

• Applicants selected for a testing‑designated position must undergo urinalysis before appointment; refusal to be tested results in denial of employment.
• Applicants will not be appointed if a verified positive drug test result is received.