Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Hourly
Range $19.76 - $23.05
Work Schedule
Rotating Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Life insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Paid holidays
flexible schedule
Professional Development
Job Description
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a vital part of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, dedicated to providing exceptional health care services to America’s veterans. This government agency operates one of the largest integrated health care systems in the country, offering a comprehensive range of medical programs tailored to the unique needs of veterans. With a commitment to honoring and caring for those who have served in the armed forces, the VHA continuously strives to innovate and improve the quality and accessibility of its services. The Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) department within the VHA plays a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of veterans by ensuring that nutritional needs are met through high standards of food preparation, safety, and service.
The VHA has embraced the Nutrition and Food Service Workforce Modernization Plan, a major initiative aimed at transforming NFS operations across its entire enterprise. This plan is one of the largest workforce innovations undertaken by the VHA and focuses on modernizing the workforce, recognizing unique positions within the system, establishing consistency in job functions, and streamlining the hiring process. The goal is to create a more efficient, responsive, and veteran-focused nutrition and food service operation that enhances patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
The Food Service Worker position at the VHA offers a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in supporting the health of veterans through food service duties. This role is filled using Direct-Hire Authority, signifying the importance and urgency of recruiting qualified candidates for this occupation. Food Service Workers perform a wide range of duties that require proficiency in various service operations, including food and beverage preparation, understanding modified diets, maintaining proper sanitation, organizing dining areas, and assisting cooks in food preparation.
As a Food Service Worker at wage grade 4, employees not only execute the essential tasks of meal service but also take on responsibilities such as aiding patient food selections, thickening items for modified diets, and ensuring trays are complete and served at correct temperatures. This role requires physical stamina, the ability to perform tasks involving moderate to heavy physical effort, and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment with continuous movement, stooping, and lifting. The work schedule involves rotating shifts, allowing for a dynamic workday that supports operational needs at various times.
This job is more than just food service; it is a position that directly impacts the health, satisfaction, and comfort of veterans receiving care. The role supports the broader mission of the VHA by providing nutritious, safe, and correctly prepared food items according to dietary prescriptions and patient preferences. Employees in this role use both manual tasks and computer systems to maintain inventory, assist in food preparation, and ensure that service standards meet the high expectations of the VHA.
The VHA has embraced the Nutrition and Food Service Workforce Modernization Plan, a major initiative aimed at transforming NFS operations across its entire enterprise. This plan is one of the largest workforce innovations undertaken by the VHA and focuses on modernizing the workforce, recognizing unique positions within the system, establishing consistency in job functions, and streamlining the hiring process. The goal is to create a more efficient, responsive, and veteran-focused nutrition and food service operation that enhances patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
The Food Service Worker position at the VHA offers a unique opportunity to play a hands-on role in supporting the health of veterans through food service duties. This role is filled using Direct-Hire Authority, signifying the importance and urgency of recruiting qualified candidates for this occupation. Food Service Workers perform a wide range of duties that require proficiency in various service operations, including food and beverage preparation, understanding modified diets, maintaining proper sanitation, organizing dining areas, and assisting cooks in food preparation.
As a Food Service Worker at wage grade 4, employees not only execute the essential tasks of meal service but also take on responsibilities such as aiding patient food selections, thickening items for modified diets, and ensuring trays are complete and served at correct temperatures. This role requires physical stamina, the ability to perform tasks involving moderate to heavy physical effort, and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment with continuous movement, stooping, and lifting. The work schedule involves rotating shifts, allowing for a dynamic workday that supports operational needs at various times.
This job is more than just food service; it is a position that directly impacts the health, satisfaction, and comfort of veterans receiving care. The role supports the broader mission of the VHA by providing nutritious, safe, and correctly prepared food items according to dietary prescriptions and patient preferences. Employees in this role use both manual tasks and computer systems to maintain inventory, assist in food preparation, and ensure that service standards meet the high expectations of the VHA.
Job Requirements
- U.S. citizenship
- Suitable for federal employment as determined by background investigation
- Successful completion of drug screening
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
- Completion of online onboarding process
- Submission of required application documents
- Commitment to serve a 1-year probationary period
- Ability to perform moderate to heavy physical effort including lifting up to 20 pounds unassisted and over 40 pounds with assistance
- Flexibility to work rotating shifts
- Adherence to VHA influenza vaccination requirements
- Willingness to uphold the values and mission of the agency
Job Qualifications
- Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision
- Evidence of training or experience demonstrating ability to perform duties
- Dexterity and safety skills
- Ability to interpret instructions and specifications
- Knowledge of materials used
- Understanding of technical practices
- Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment
- Good work practices
- Experience may include paid or unpaid work including volunteer service
- Must provide detailed descriptions of duties and responsibilities in resume
Job Duties
- Set up assigned station on the tray line with correct supplies and food items
- Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on plates
- Break down and clean the station when assigned
- Set up dining room tables for service and replenish items
- Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room
- Deliver meal trays to patients' bedsides and report comments to supervisor or dietitian
- Prepare beverages according to required servings
- Prepare fresh fruit, cold salads, dressings, sandwich fillings and simple cold desserts
- Sort, wash, peel and cut cold foods
- Assist cooks with weighing, measuring and assembling ingredients
- Prepare uncooked food items like sandwich spreads and salad dressings
- Operate, break down and clean all assigned equipment
- Portion food into standard servings using proper utensils
- Prepare boxed/to go meals
- Make final checks of diet trays for completeness and temperature
- Verify food appropriateness for prescribed diets
- Identify discrepancies between diet prescriptions and menu items
- Decide food items to serve for common diets when only diet type is indicated
- Distribute menus and surveys to patients
- Provide information on modified diets and nutrition services
- Prepare individual and bulk nourishments and supplemental foods
- Follow standardized recipes and sanitary techniques
- Determine ingredient quantities for required yield
- Convert measurements between metric and standard systems
- Take nourishment inventories and stock using first in-first out
- Label and distribute individual nourishments
- Sterilize equipment and sanitize work areas
- Work in functional kitchen areas including food prep, dishwashing, storage and serving lines
- Perform heavy-duty cleaning tasks
- Separate food waste and trash in dishwashing area
- Unload food/tray delivery carts
- Store sanitized dishes, glasses and silverware
- Scrape, soak, scour and scrub cookware and utensils
- Move garbage cans for trash disposal
- Assist cooks by assembling, labeling and arranging recipe items
- Use computer terminals to record and retrieve recipe, menu and inventory data
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet Medical Center needs
Job Criteria
Experience
No experience required
Job Location
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