Health Technician (Dietetic)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Reno, Nevada

Salary Range: $40490 - $52633 Per Year

Job Summary: This Health Technician position is located in the Nutrition & Food Service (NFS) at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Reno, NV. The incumbent performs routine duties that require exceptional customer service, computer skills, proper phone etiquette, proficiency in special food service and therapeutic diet procedures, a broad knowledge of routine modified diets, combinations of diet modifications and knowledge of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Dietetics software and required functions.

Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Utilizes a computer to enter and retrieve basic information; Utilizes dietetic software programs to retrieve diet orders, recipes, and menu and inventory data; Prints and assembles packets; Properly operates telephone equipment to transfer or place calls on hold; Provides professional and courteous customer service; Triages telephone calls from customers and/or patients; Provides basic-level education and information on therapeutic diets to patients, guests, and nursing staff; Resolves customer and/or patient complaints; Utilizes knowledge of basic and routine modified diets to identify problems in diet order information and take appropriate corrective action; Correctly interprets diet activity and patient information, to ensure appropriate food items on meals trays; Verifies physician orders for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, tube feeding orders and nutritional supplements; Assist with food selections, ensuring appropriateness of menu selections for complex diets; Answers the telephone using proper business etiquette; Communicates with customers in a pleasant, friendly, personable, and professional manner; Communicates effectively via telephone and in-person; Attends to both verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication. Work Schedule: Full Time, Various Schedules Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855A 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.

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirements Health Aid and Technician Series, 0640 Specialized Experience: Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. OR Education and Training: For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree, with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position. AND English Language Requirement: Health Technicians are required to be proficient in spoken and written English. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience or education that demonstrates knowledge of quantity food service operations and proper nutrition; Knowledge of the food items and appropriate quantities; works with clients, patients, and/or, customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; Ability to use computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work; Inputting and compiling various data to create spreadsheets and reports; Taking inventory and placing orders keeping within set budgetary parameters; Providing customers with consistent information according to established policies/procedures. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year(60 Semester hours) is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience. Determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5. Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital setting Familiar with the IDDSI diets Customer service experience 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.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/17/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12830304. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-17