Clinical Dietetic Technician (CDT) at this level performs all duties and assignments with general instruction and guidance with the Nutrition and Food Service. Responsibilities involve screening patients, collecting nutritionally relevant data such as diagnoses, medications, clinical symptoms, laboratory values, dietary history, and anthropometrics. This position is located at the Kerrville VA Medical Center in Kerrville, Texas. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and/or Education: Education. Completion of an associate's or higher degree program in Dietetic Technology , Dietetics or another related field of study that is accredited by ACEND. OR Experience. Completion of one (1) year of clinical experience in dietetics, and the possession of an active Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) certification. The experience must have been received after possession of the CDM certification. Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. English Language Proficiency. CDT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at the least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-7 Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Knowledge in Medical Nutrition Therapy pertaining to completing nutrition assessments. Knowledge of food service operations. Skills in conducting nutrition intervention, patient interviewing, and nutrition counseling as part of the nutrition care process. Ability to organize, evaluate, and execute teaching plans to provide nutrition education for selected groups of patients and individuals. Ability to effectively communicate nutrition education and care plans with patients, family members, coworkers, internal customers, and external customers. Preferred Experience: Associates degree in Diet Technology or Bachelors degree in Dietetics 1 year experience in Diet Technology Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing, or speech may be required. Some lifting of trays, bending down, sitting, and standing for substantial periods of time. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties May Include but are Not Limited to: Makes recommendations for adjustments to the plan of care to improve patient's recovery and document outcomes on nutrition intervention Modifies diet orders for texture/consistency, tolerance, and supplemental feedings as appropriate under the oversight of the RDN Educates patients or employees, in groups or individually, and/or those accompanying the patient, regarding medical nutrition therapies Serves as a preceptor for dietetic technician affiliated programs and associated tasks as applicable Assists with administrative or clerical functions associated with food service operations Assists in related duties that support performance improvement activities for the service Conducts nutrient intake analysis and meal rounds Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members Completes test trays and tray studies Completes patient satisfaction surveys May perform other duties as assigned as appropriate for the grade and assignment and which are within the scope of the occupation Travel occasionally for training will be required Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: May be available based on requirements. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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.