Clinical Dietetic Technician

The Clinical Dietetic Technician (CDT) is responsible for screening patients, collecting nutritionally relevant data such as diagnoses, medications, clinical symptoms, laboratory values, dietary history, and anthropometrics. The CDT receives and records patient information regarding allergies, patient meal preferences and enters this information into the applicable software program(s) including the medical record.

Qualifications:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Experience and/or Education:
  • Education - Completion of an associate's or higher degree program in Dietetic Technology, Dietetics or another related field of study that is accredited by ACEND®. A list of ACEND® accredited programs are located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/accredited-programs/program-directory). OR
  • Experience - Completion of one (1) year of clinical experience in dietetics, and the possession of an active Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) certification. The experience must have been received after possession of the CDM certification. OR
  • Experience/Education Combination - Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Certification. None
• English Language Proficiency. CDT candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7403(f)

Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are consider to have met all qualification for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and licensure/registration/certification.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-05

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-06

• Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade. NOTE: Possession of the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) credential can be substituted for the one year of specialized experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or certification requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of nutrition screening process.
  • Knowledge of programs and systems used to manage diverse patient diet orders and preferences.
  • Skill in conducting diet education to selected groups of patients and individuals.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with patients and coworkers to provide nutrition care.

Clinical Dietetic Technician, GS-07

• Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or certification requirements for this grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge in Medical Nutrition Therapy pertaining to completing nutrition assessments.
  • Knowledge of food service operations.
  • Skill in conducting nutrition intervention, patient interviewing, and nutrition counseling as part of the nutrition care process.
  • Ability to organize, evaluate, and execute teaching plans to provide nutrition education for selected groups of patients and individuals.
  • Ability to effectively communicate nutrition education and care plans with patients, family members, coworkers, internal customers, and external customers.

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years experience as a Clinical Dietetic Technician.
• Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR) certification preferred.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Responsibilities:

Duties of the Clinical Dietetic Technician (CDT) may include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts the screening and evaluation of the nutrition care needs of patients
• Assists the RDN in the development of nutritional care plans including nutrition interventions, nutrition focused physical exam, and diet counseling in collaboration with the RDN.
• Collects nutritionally relevant data from the medical record for medications, clinical symptoms, laboratory values, diet history and anthropometrics.
• Makes recommendations for adjustments to the plan of care to improve patient's recovery and document outcomes on nutrition intervention
• Modifies diet orders for texture/consistency, tolerance, and supplemental feedings as appropriate under the oversight of the RDN.
• Educates patients or employees, in groups or individually, and/or those accompanying the patient, regarding medical nutrition therapies.
• Serves as a preceptor for dietetic technician affiliated programs and associated tasks as applicable.
• Assists with administrative or clerical functions associated with food service operations.
• Assists in related duties that support performance improvement activities for the service.
• Conducts nutrient intake analysis and meal rounds
• Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team members
• Completes test trays and tray studies
• Completes patient satisfaction surveys
• May perform other duties as assigned as appropriate for the grade and assignment and which are within the scope of the occupation.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on needs of the facility)
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99306-FS; 99307-FS; 99308-FS
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $46,979