Summary

Join our dynamic team at the VA Medical Center in sunny Phoenix - AZ - as a Nutrition Communication Center (NCC) Ambassador! In this vital role - you'll provide top-notch administrative and customer service support for our innovative VA hospital food service program. This is your chance to contribute to the health and well-being of our nation's veterans while working in a supportive and rewarding environment. Apply now to be part of a team that truly values dedication - compassion - and excellence.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled - in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Performing duties in food service in a hospital environment; 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. 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. 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. To calculate - first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting - you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-XX. For example - an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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

• Major duties and responsibilities will include: 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: Full-Time
• 5:30am - 2:00pm - 10am - 6:30pm - weekends and holidays Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855A and PD12227A Physical Requirements: The work requires walking - standing - bending - lifting and carrying of light items - such as food trays - instruction materials - books - and manuals
• NCC Associate functions require long periods of sitting and moving about in an office environment - including repetitive motion activities of the hands and fingers for extensive keyboard and computer mouse use - and office tasks such as answering and holding a telephone phone - and writing
• The work may require walking indoors - outdoors or to and from other areas of the medical center
• It may be necessary to lift and/or push equipment
• Incumbent is subject to periods continuous standing - sitting - walking and frequent stooping - reaching - pushing - pulling - and bending
• Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds and pushing loaded carts of trays and/or nourishments.