Summary Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) full performance level position in NFS. They are thoroughly knowledgeable of and responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing food service technology as well as ensuring continuous evaluation and improvement within the service. Responsibilities Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Uses available technology to enhance the work of all employees within NFS. Manages VHA supported software programs and/or commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) to support the effective management of food operations and patient meal services. Enters and maintains ingredients, recipes, nutritional information and menus. Oversees the technology used for meal production, meal service and temperature control. Leads a menu committee. Ensures recipes are standardized. Costs out recipes and assures that they are within budgetary constraints. Creates and revises menus, considering VA established guidelines, policy, patient preference, and religious and cultural considerations. Completes nutrient analyses of regular and modified menus and ensures menus follow required diet guidelines. Develops and maintains training and reference materials for the Nutrition Communication Center (NCC). Manages productivity reports for the NCC. Completes audits for the NCC, determining action plans when results require corrective measures. Coordinates and supports downtime procedures for the NCC, ensuring procedures remain up to date. Coordinates all aspects of training related to computer systems, menus and informatics for NFS employees. Collaborates with the clinical nutrition section and leadership to ensure the enhancement of the Veterans dining experience. Supports patient satisfaction within NFS. Acts as a department Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) between administration, food services, clinical staff, and the Office of Information Technology (Ol&T) regarding clinical information system processes. Manages and updates the service SharePoint site. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 99526-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Qualifications Applicants 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Registration. All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for verification of completion of didactic program, dietetic internship, or coordinated program requirements. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN requirements. 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). In addition to the Basic Requirements, all applicants must meet the following to qualify for the position. Grade Determinations for the GS-11: Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in delivering patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation). (b) Skill in interpreting research to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. (c) Skill in developing patient-centered goals. (d) Skill in analyzing data for performance improvement studies. (e) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders. (f) Ability to comply with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) full performance level position. Informatics Dietitians are thoroughly knowledgeable of and responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing food service technology as well as ensuring continuous evaluation and improvement within the service. They independently manage VHA-supported software programs and/or COTS to support the effective management of food operations and patient meal services including entering and maintaining ingredients, recipes, nutritional data and menus. Informatics Dietitians fully oversee the technology used for meal production, meal service and temperature control. They lead a menu committee. Informatics Dietitians ensure recipes are standardized, costed and within budgetary constraints. They create, revise and sign off on menus, complete nutrient analyses of regular and modified menus and ensure menus follow required diet guidelines. Informatics Dietitians oversee and are responsible for developing and maintaining training and reference materials for the NCC. They manage productivity reports and complete audits for the NCC. Informatics Dietitians coordinate and support downtime procedures for the NCC, ensuring procedures remain up to date. As a subject matter expert in nutrition informatics and food service technology, Informatics Dietitians use their expertise to complete all aspects of training related to computer systems, menus and informatics for NFS employees. They frequently collaborate with the clinical nutrition section and leadership staff to enhance the Veteran's dining experience and support patient satisfaction. Informatics Dietitians act as a department ADPAC serving as the liaison between administration, food services, clinical staff and OI&T regarding clinical information system processes. They manage and update the service SharePoint site. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work primarily is sedentary. Some work may require periods of walking, standing, and bending in offices, hospitals, and other work areas. Frequently carry light items such as books, education material, equipment required for assessment (i.e. scale or dynamometer) and other similar materials. The work does not require any special physical effort. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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.
