The Assistant Chief, Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) serves as assistant to the Chief, NFS, advising them on all matters pertinent to the service. Provides direct supervision for the Clinical Nutrition staff and advises Food Service Supervisors. The assistant chief works in cooperation with the Chief in the identification of major management initiatives as well as the provision, production and service of high-quality food and effective nutrition therapy to the veteran population served.

Duties

Kansas City VA Medical Center is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. MAJOR DUTIES Assists in the establishment of organizational structure guidelines, performance standards, reporting requirements and assists in defining the lines of authority and supervisory controls necessary and essential in carrying out the mission of the service. Assists in the provision of leadership to assure that all activities of the staff are closely coordinated in order to achieve an effective integration of the key elements of patient care, education, training and research. Assists with evaluating Service compliance to VHA regulations, Central Office directives, ADA Laws, VISN guidelines, Medical Center policy, Union Master agreement, Service procedures and all accrediting and regulatory agencies including but not limited to US food code, JCAHO, OSHA and OIG to assure optimal nutrition care of Veterans, in the continuum of care and in a multidisciplinary model. Assists in or provides oversight in the coordination of menu planning, subsistence purchases, production, and delivery of safe, high quality, nutritionally adequate meals. Assists in the facilitation and the development of service priorities which address the goals and objectives of the medical center, healthcare system and VISN and coordinates service activities to accomplish identified priorities and ensure compliance with VHA directives and medical center policy/procedures to provide for customer satisfaction. Coordinates and confers with section chiefs in the development of short and long-term goals that incorporate new technology, safety, local, VISN and health care system objectives to assure optimal customer satisfaction. Provides leadership and serves on the Nutrition Committee. Assumes full responsibility for the management of NFS in the absence of the Chief, NFS. Assists in the development and administration of a human resource management program for all NFS employees that maximizes staff performance and job satisfaction and supports labor-management cooperation. Coordinates and allocates staffing patterns and position management that will support a high-quality food service system and the demand for complex clinical nutrition care promoting optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Consistently applying EEO and Affirmative Action Principles. Aides in the development and implementation of a budget management program that provides for the effective utilization of available financial resources coordinating appropriate alterations when necessary to accommodate changes associated with administration, science education and research. Assists in the planning of an annual budget for subsistence, supplies, and personnel costs. Providing for the effective utilization of available financial resources. Benchmarks against other VA facilities and the private sector to assure cost effective services and coordinating appropriate alterations when necessary to accommodate changes associated with administration, science, community standards and research. Communicates with Chief, NFS regarding financial matters and the status of NFS resource management. Regularly evaluates program goals and objectives to determine progress, efficacy and continued need. Reprioritizes goals as needed to integrate with those of the medical center, VISN and healthcare system. Seeks and assesses opportunities to reduce operating costs without compromising patient satisfaction or nutrition care. Assures compliance to prime vendor contract. Manages the service purchase request process. Develops and implements nutrition care policies and guidelines for compliance with all regulatory agency requirements (i.e. JCAHO, ADA, ASPEN) and specific VHA guidelines. Develops a Program Improvement process to ensure provision of high-­quality nutrition care and improved outcomes. Prepares and submits reports to staff and management. Additional Duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm CST Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3. Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference. 4. Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position. Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry in the occupation. GS-12 Grade Determination: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-12, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of accrediting requirements in clinical nutrition to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements Skill as a nutrition expert to provide technical guidance, direction and staff development. Skill in Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines to develop, implement and coordinate best practices. Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems. Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G20 Physical Requirements: Reaching above shoulder; light lifting (under 25 pounds), light carrying(under 25 pounds).Use of fingers both hands required; hand and eye coordination.Some walking (intermittent up to 4 hours); sitting 3-4 hours intermittently. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; working closely with others; emotional and mental stability.Hearing (aid permitted).Good distance in one eye and ability to read printed size type written material (glasses permitted).

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Contacts

• Address Kansas City VA Medical Center 4801 Linwood Boulevard Kansas City, MO 64128 US
• Name: Amber Frazier
• Phone: 803-869-9197
• Email: [email protected]