Summary

This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service (N&FS) of the James A Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa - FL serving as a Nutrition Communication Center (NCC) Associate - providing administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital food service program.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/04/2026. 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. 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. OR 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 OR 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.

Duties

• This position will collaborate with Dietitians regarding Food/Drug Interactions - notifying clinical staff of potential issues with meal service and delivery and taking direction regarding management
• The NCC is staffed to receive patient meal orders and preferences - meal and nourishment requests from nursing - clinical staff - and other members of the interdisciplinary team during all hours of meal service operations - seven days a week
• Major duties include but are not limited to: Has a broad knowledge of routing modified diets - combinations of diet modifications and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) dietetics software Handles patient meal service orders in person or by phone Interacts with Veterans - dietitians - nursing staff - and other medical center employees Receives patient meal orders and preferences - meal and nourishment requests from nursing - clinical staff - and other members of the interdisciplinary team Takes whatever action necessary - within authority - to maximize patient satisfaction with meal service Completes select and non-select menus as required Retrieves computerized information 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 education and information on local facility therapeutic diets to patients - guests - and nursing staff Assists patients in selection of the proper foods according to their individual diet Performs clerical and administrative duties in support of the service Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Varies Mon-Fri - with weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized