Summary

The VA Medical Center in sunny Phoenix - AZ - is looking for a dedicated Health Technician (Dietetic) to join our Nutrition and Food Service team. In this role - you'll be a key player in handling patient meal service orders - collaborating with dietitians and medical staff - and ensuring veterans receive top-notch nutritional care. This is your chance to make a difference in the lives of our nation's veterans while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/12/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-03 grade level: Six (6) months of generalized experience. General experience includes progressively responsible clerical - office - or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-03 level. To qualify - must have successful completion of one (l) year of study above high school that included study in medical - health - or related fields. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-03 level. To calculate - first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting - you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-03. For example - an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-04 grade level: One (1) year of Specialized Technician Experience that equipped you with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to successfully perform the duties to perform the duties of the position to be filled. To be creditable - specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-03) in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Knowledge of computer operations and ability to use computer equipment - phone system and printers. Knowledge of tray assembly area procedures for set up - assembly - tray distribution and pick-up. Ability to follow oral and written instructions. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-04 level. To qualify - must have completed two (2) years of study above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in subjects related to the position. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-04 level. To calculate - must determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. GS-05 grade level: One year of specialized Technician experience (equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position - and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled - in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Performing duties in food service in a hospital environment; knowledge of tray assembly area procedures; using dietetics software programs; familiarity with regular and modified diets; assisting with food selections; following verbal and written instructions; and using computer equipment - phone system - and printers. This position requires effective communication skills both verbally and in writing and good customer service. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-05 level. A bachelor's degree or four (4) years of education above the high school level with major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to the position (i.e. nutrition - dietary therapy - food and nutrition science - food service systems management - etc.). This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school - junior college - college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-05 level. An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience - as described above - which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business - secretarial or technical school - junior college - college or university. NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. 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. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection
• This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination - faster assessments - and efficient pre-employment actions
• Applicants can expect a more transparent - predictable - and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty
• What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes - Human Resources will quickly review applications - issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration
• Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager
• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer - applicants should be prepared to complete required steps - such as fingerprinting and background check - credentialing - and medical examination within 3 days of the offer
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones - including referral - tentative offer - and onboarding instructions
• After meeting pre-employment requirements - candidates will receive a final job offer and start date
• Onboarding tasks may continue after starting - with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service
• If selected - applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing
• Major duties and responsibilities will include: Has a broad knowledge of routing modified diets - combinations of diet modifications and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) dietetics software Handles patient meal service orders in person or by phone Interacts with Veterans - dietitians - nursing staff - and other medical center employees Receives patient meal orders and preferences - meal and nourishment requests from nursing - clinical staff - and other members of the interdisciplinary team Takes whatever action necessary - within authority - to maximize patient satisfaction with meal service Completes select and non-select menus as required Retrieves computerized information to assist with tray and/or nourishment assembly such as standing orders - nourishment labels - tabulated recipe lists - and other simple information to assist in meal delivery Provides education and information on local facility therapeutic diets to patients - guests - and nursing staff Assists patients in selection of the proper foods according to their individual diet Performs clerical and administrative duties in support of the service Performs other related duties as assigned
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• 5:30am-2:00pm or 10am - 6:30pm to include weekends and holidays but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidate at service discretion
• Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.