Health Technician (Dietetic)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Florida seeks a Health Technician (Dietetic) at the GS-05 level. This role requires either one year of specialized hospital food service experience or education as described, plus ability to communicate effectively and provide patient-centered dietary support.

Applicants may substitute education for experience. A bachelor’s degree or 24 semester hours in related nutrition subjects are required.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience includes hospital food service duties, tray delivery, dietetics software, and knowledge of regular/modified diets.
• Verbal and written communication skills are essential; customer service is important.

Responsibilities

• (Not explicitly listed in the ad)

Skills

Dietetic knowledge

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or nutrition-related education

Job description

The VA Tampa Healthcare System provides you with outstanding health care, trains America's future health care providers, and conducts important medical research. We provide you with health care services at 20 locations in central Florida. Facilities include our James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa and 16 community-based outpatient clinics in Brooksville, Hidden River (Tampa), Lakeland, Lecanto, New Port Richey, South Hillsborough (Riverview), and Zephyrhills.

To qualify for this position,

applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

*****This position has an IOR requirement****

Individual Occupational Requirement:

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 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.

In addition to the IOR above, To qualify for this position at the GS-5 grade level, you must meet one of the following:

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; tray delivery and 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.

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level.

Education:

A bachelor's degree or four (4) years of education above the high school level with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly 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 must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level.

Combination

An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required.

Preferred experience:

Experience in conducting dietary assessments, understanding nutritional needs, and developing meal plans for patients with various medical conditions. Ability to collaborate with dietitians and other healthcare professionals to implement and adjust dietary interventions. Experience working in a call center environment, particularly in a healthcare or nutrition context. Proficiency in managing high volumes of calls, providing information, and addressing patient inquiries and concerns with empathy and professionalism. Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with patients, caregivers, and healthcare team members. Experience in educating patients on dietary guidelines, meal planning, and the use of nutritional supplements. Experience in managing patient records and ensuring accurate and up to-date documentation. Ability to assess educational needs and tailor information to diverse patient populations. Familiarity with common dietary supplements and their appropriate use for various medical conditions.

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/.