Job Description
Summary
The Dietetic Technician (Call Center Associate) position is located at the Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center (FHCC), North Chicago, IL in the Nutrition and Food Services Department. The incumbent provides administrative/customer service support, answers patient calls and enters meal orders into the Dietetics Software system.
Learn more about this agency
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Duties
The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the FHCC hospital food service program. The incumbent performs routine duties that require exceptional computer skills, proper phone etiquette, proficiency in special dietary procedures, a broad knowledge of routine modified diets, combinations of diet modifications and knowledge of Dietetics software required functions. Major Duties:
• The Incumbent maintains the vital connection between the Call Center, Registered Dietitians, Food Service Operations and Patients.
• Practice proper business telephone etiquette while answering phones and use strong listening and speaking skills.
• Handle routine telephonic inquiries regarding patient meal orders and maintains log of telephonic clinic inquiries/concerns.
• Contact patients who have missed meals or to take meal order by telephone or personal visit to patient.
• Verify physician order for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, and nutritional supplements.
• Retrieve and print computerized information/printouts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule:(Full-time) (40 hours per week). 6:00am-2:30pm, Sunday thru Thursday with Fridays and Saturdays off.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Dietetic Technician (Call Center)/PD-06381-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1+5+
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 201+ (COVID-1+) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2026.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized 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 at the GS-05 grade level. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in Federal Service. Examples of Specialized Experience includes but is not limited to: Experience in selecting regular and modified diets in order to ensure that patients are selecting food items that are in accordance of their prescribed diet; working with patients, and/or, customers to assess their nutrition needs, provide information or assistance; use computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 4 years 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. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree and is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. To compute your qualifications under this provision, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100%.
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/.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.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.
OR
Combination Education/Experience: Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the Health Technician (Dietetic) position. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
• Communication
• Computer Skills
• Food Service
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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to work competently under pressure of deadlines. The work requires walking, standing, bending, lifting and carrying of light items, such as food trays, instruction material, books and manuals. DCC functions require long periods of sitting and moving about in an office environment. The work requires walking indoors and outdoors between buildings. Periodically, it is necessary to lift and/push equipment such as video-tape units used in employee education classes. Must be able to adjust to rotating days off and to alternating shifts including weekends and holidays. Incumbent is subject to continuous standing and walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Discomforts may exist due to ventilation system and/or humidity changes in various buildings.
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
Additional information
This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 11+3.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Read more
• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center
3001 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
US
The Dietetic Technician (Call Center Associate) position is located at the Captain James A. Lovell Health Care Center (FHCC), North Chicago, IL in the Nutrition and Food Services Department. The incumbent provides administrative/customer service support, answers patient calls and enters meal orders into the Dietetics Software system.
Learn more about this agency
Help
Duties
The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the FHCC hospital food service program. The incumbent performs routine duties that require exceptional computer skills, proper phone etiquette, proficiency in special dietary procedures, a broad knowledge of routine modified diets, combinations of diet modifications and knowledge of Dietetics software required functions. Major Duties:
• The Incumbent maintains the vital connection between the Call Center, Registered Dietitians, Food Service Operations and Patients.
• Practice proper business telephone etiquette while answering phones and use strong listening and speaking skills.
• Handle routine telephonic inquiries regarding patient meal orders and maintains log of telephonic clinic inquiries/concerns.
• Contact patients who have missed meals or to take meal order by telephone or personal visit to patient.
• Verify physician order for unusual diets, conflicting modifications, and nutritional supplements.
• Retrieve and print computerized information/printouts.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule:(Full-time) (40 hours per week). 6:00am-2:30pm, Sunday thru Thursday with Fridays and Saturdays off.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description Title/PD#: Dietetic Technician (Call Center)/PD-06381-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1+5+
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 201+ (COVID-1+) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/21/2026.You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized 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 at the GS-05 grade level. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in Federal Service. Examples of Specialized Experience includes but is not limited to: Experience in selecting regular and modified diets in order to ensure that patients are selecting food items that are in accordance of their prescribed diet; working with patients, and/or, customers to assess their nutrition needs, provide information or assistance; use computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 4 years 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. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree and is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. To compute your qualifications under this provision, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100%.
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/.
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.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.
OR
Combination Education/Experience: Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience that is directly related to the work of the Health Technician (Dietetic) position. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
• Communication
• Computer Skills
• Food Service
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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: Must be able to work competently under pressure of deadlines. The work requires walking, standing, bending, lifting and carrying of light items, such as food trays, instruction material, books and manuals. DCC functions require long periods of sitting and moving about in an office environment. The work requires walking indoors and outdoors between buildings. Periodically, it is necessary to lift and/push equipment such as video-tape units used in employee education classes. Must be able to adjust to rotating days off and to alternating shifts including weekends and holidays. Incumbent is subject to continuous standing and walking, frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. Frequently lifts or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Discomforts may exist due to ventilation system and/or humidity changes in various buildings.
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/.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
Additional information
This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 11+3.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-1+ and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Read more
• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center
3001 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
US
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Health Tech |Dietetic position is now open for candidates interested in the Helper Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Helper Jobs is a plus.
