Dietitian (Informatics)

About the role

This position serves as a Dietitian (Informatics) within the Nutrition and Food Service department, responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing food service technology.

Responsibilities

• Uses available technology to enhance the work of all employees within Nutrition and Food Service.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Non-credentialed Dietitians who fulfill the requirements below may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2).
• 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.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: US Citizenship, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD), completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program, and earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent.
• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower 9 grade level or a master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college.