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.
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. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. ~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN. A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. Foreign Education. To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND® and meet ACEND®'s International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must provide care under the supervision of a RDN at or above the full performance level. Temporary appointments of non-credentialed Dietitian will not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position. (2) Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re- entry in the occupation 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/RD requirements. Grade Determinations: Dietitian (Informatics), GS-07. (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dietitian (Informatics), GS-09 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (2) Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements. (b) Ability to manage computer software programs relative to food service systems. (c) Ability to develop training and reference materials. (d) Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes. (e) Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology. (f) Ability to collaborate with stakeholders Dietitian (Informatics) , GS-11 Experience. One year of experience as an RDN Dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in managing computer software programs relative to food service systems. (b) Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to develop menus ensuring nutritional standards are met. (c) Skill in developing training and reference materials. (d) Skill in evaluating data to improve outcomes. (e) Skill in providing training related to food service systems technology. (f) Skill in collaborating with stakeholders. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes menu and standardized recipe development, and through knowledge of COTS Dietetic Software with preferred experience in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to Cerner conversion. Preferred experience in computerized food system programs to include but not limited to Tray-In-Motion, Room Service, and Inventory Connect programs. Prefer experience as a Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) by managing and entering employee access requests. Applicant must have excellent organizational and time-management skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
Functions: GS-7 Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) entry level developmental position in NFS. Develops skills in food service technology for meal production, meal service and temperature control, working toward coordination and implementation of technology into the operation. Gains skills in the operation of VHA supported software programs and/or commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) to support the effective management of food operations and patient meal services. Creates and revises menus, considering VA established guidelines, policy, patient preferences, and religious and cultural considerations. Completes nutrient analyses and ensures menus follow required diet guidelines. - Participates in a menu committee. - Participates in standardizing recipes used for food production. - Estimates food costs for recipes within the confines of budgetary limitations. Reviews educational materials and references for compliance with policy and procedures for the Nutrition Communication Center (NCC). Assists in the review of NCC productivity reports and supports downtime procedures. GS-9 Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) developmental position in NFS performing increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. -Makes recommendations for and assists in improving processes within the service. Assists with the management of VHA supported software programs and/or commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) to support food operations and patient meal services. Utilizes technology for meal production, meal service and temperature control. Creates and revises menus, considering VA established guidelines, policy, patient preferences, and religious and cultural considerations. Completes nutrient analyses and ensures menus follow required diet guidelines. Assists in leading a menu committee. Standardizes recipes used for food production. Estimates food costs for recipes within the confines of budgetary limitations. GS-11 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. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 99528-S,99527-S & 99526-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized