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.