Dietitian (Informatics)

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.

The position is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating informatics within the service. The Informatics Dietitian works in collaboration with the NFS management team, supervisors, and staff in supporting NFS program goals and facility mission. Coordinates integration of administrative and clinical nutrition activities within the department and other services and units, clinics and local community.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• 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: Various Tours of duty between 7:30am-5:30pm CST
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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:GS-07 Dietitian (Clinical)

• No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Dietitian (Clinical)Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7)

OR

A master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college in the field of dietetics or closely related field. Your experience or education must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements.
• Ability to manage computer software programs relative to foodservice 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.

GS-11 Dietitian (Clinical) (Full Performance Level)Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-11 up must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.