SummaryEmployees in this assignment serve as a full performance Clinical Dietetic Technician (CDT). The CDT is responsible for screening patients, collecting nutritionally relevant data such as diagnoses, medications, clinical symptoms, laboratory values, dietary history, and anthropometrics.
The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
DutiesHelp
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
- Conducts the screening and evaluation of the nutrition care needs of patients
- Assists the RDN in the development of nutritional care plans including nutritioninterventions, nutrition focused physical exam, and diet counseling in collaboration with the RDN.
- Collects nutritionally relevant data from the medical record for medications, clinical symptoms, laboratory values, diet history and anthropometrics.
- 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.
Work Schedule: Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-6:30pm. Schedule will be discussed during the interview process and is subject to change based on Agency needs.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99308-F, 99307-F, 99306-F.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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®. A list of ACEND® accredited programs are located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/program-directory).
ORExperience - 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.
OR
Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
Certification. None
English Language Proficiency: CDT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7403(f)
Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropiate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are consider to have met all qualification for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and lincensure/registration/certification.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-05 - Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-06- Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade.NOTE: Possession of the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credential can be substituted for the one year of specialized experience.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or certification requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of nutrition screening process.
- Knowledge of programs and systems used to manage diverse patient diet orders and preferences.
- Skill in conducting diet education to selected groups of patients and individuals.
- Ability to work collaboratively with patients and coworkers to provide nutrition care.
Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-07- Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or certification requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge in Medical Nutrition Therapy pertaining to completing nutrition assessments.
- Knowledge of food service operations.
- Skill 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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
EducationNote: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional informationReceiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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