This position is in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) located in a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital food service program. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/06/2025. English 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 may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a full 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year. The education portion must include courses directly related to the work of the position. . 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 are below but not limited to: 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. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Variable with rotating days off. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Ambassador)/PD99855S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.