Clinical Dietetic Technician

Clinical Dietetic Technicians (CDTs) are paraprofessionals who assist and support 2 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in providing nutrition care to patients. The Clinical Dietetic Technician (CDT) performs a variety of nutrition care and food service, patient education, diet communication, and administrative support to assist professional dietitians responsible for the nutritional welfare of the Veteran residents in the Community Living Center

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)

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

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.

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: The incumbent works with veterans in the Community Living Center and must be in overall good health. The position requires visual acuity, hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some time walking; standing; bending; carrying of tight items such as papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Responsibilities:

Duties 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: Full-Time, Days and Hours vary to include weekends and holidays.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance:
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10000-F; 10001-F, 10002-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $417