Employees serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) 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.
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. 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. 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 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) entry-level developmental position. Informatics Dietitians work under the guidance of a Dietitian at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. Informatics Dietitians acquire skills in food service technology, working toward coordinating and implementing technology into the operation. They gain 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. Informatics Dietitians gain skills in using technology for meal production, meal service and temperature control. They learn to create and revise menus, complete nutrient analyses and ensure menus follow required diet guidelines. Informatics Dietitians participate in a menu committee. They learn to standardize recipes and estimate the cost to ensure they are economical and within budgetary constraints. Informatics Dietitians review educational materials and references for compliance with policy and procedures for the Nutrition Communication Center (NCC). They assist in the review of NCC productivity reports and support downtime procedures and train employees. Informatics Dietitians gain knowledge of technical and technological developments in nutrition informatics and dietetics and oversee/complete all aspects of employee training related to computer systems, menus and informatics. They assist in the department Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) role. They review and update the NFS SharePoint site. Informatics Dietitians collaborate with the clinical nutrition section to enhance the Veterans dining experience and support patient satisfaction Dietitian (Informatics), GS-09 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower 9 grade level. OR Education. Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements. Ability to manage computer software programs relative to food service systems. Ability to develop training and reference materials. Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes. Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Assignment. Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Informatics) developmental position. Informatics Dietitians perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. They develop skills to plan, coordinate and implement food service technology as well as offer recommendations for improvement within the service. Informatics Dietitians develop skills in the management of VHA-supported software programs and/or COTS to support food operations and patient meal services. They utilize technology for meal production, meal service and temperature control. Informatics Dietitians create and revise menus, complete nutrient analyses and ensure menus follow required diet guidelines and are signed off on by a higher-level Dietitian. They assist in leading a menu committee. Informatics Dietitians have become increasingly independent in standardizing recipes and ensuring costs are within budget. They develop and maintain educational materials and references, ensuring they comply with policy and procedures as needed for the NCC. Informatics Dietitians review NCC productivity reports and support downtime procedures, helping ensure procedures remain updated so that employees can be trained on the implementation. They are knowledgeable of technical and technological developments in nutrition informatics and dietetics and oversee/complete all aspects of employee training related to computer systems, menus and informatics. Informatics Dietitians participate as the service ADPAC between administration, food services, clinical staff and the Office of Information Technology (OI&T) regarding clinical information system processes. They review and update the NFS SharePoint site. Informatics Dietitians collaborate with the clinical nutrition section to enhance the Veteran's dining experience, support patient satisfaction and serve as a 10 liaison between the food service section and the clinical units. Dietitian (Informatics), GS-11 Experience. One year of experience as an RDN Dietitian equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in managing computer software programs relative to food service systems. Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to develop menus ensuring nutritional standards are met. Skill in developing training and reference materials. Skill in evaluating data to improve outcomes. Skill in providing training related to food service systems technology. Skill in collaborating with stakeholders.
Dietitian (Informatics), GS-07 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 VHA diet guidelines. 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. Facilitates and supports training for staff within NFS for the electronic health record, COTS programs, temperature control, menu, NCC related functions and other informatics related needs. Gains knowledge of technical and technological developments in the field of nutrition informatics and dietetics and factors this information into planning for the department. Assists in the role of the department Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC). Dietitian (Informatics), GS-09 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 VHA 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. Develops and maintains educational materials and references ensuring compliance with policy and procedures. Reviews Nutrition Communication Center (NCC) productivity reports and supports downtime procedures. Uses their knowledge of technical and technological developments in the field of nutrition informatics and dietetics to help with planning for the department. Facilitates employee training related to computer systems, menus, and informatics. Facilitates and supports training for staff within NFS for the electronic health record, COTS programs, temperature control, menu, NCC related functions and other informatics related needs. Serves as the service 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. Dietitian (Informatics), 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 VHA 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. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99526S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized