Launch Your Career: Dietetic Technician at Irwin Army Community Hospital

Are you a dedicated nutrition professional looking to serve those who serve our country? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently hiring a Dietetic Technician to join the medical team at Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley, Kansas. This role is essential for ensuring that patients receive accurate, healthy, and appropriate dietary care. If you are detail-oriented and passionate about health sciences, this federal position offers a stable, rewarding career path.

Job Responsibilities

As a Dietetic Technician, you will be the backbone of the hospital's nutritional operations. Key daily duties include:

Managing diet orders received from clinical staff.
Monitoring patient intake and adapting meal plans to specific medical limitations.
Providing nutrition support through specialized food ordering.
Assisting dietitians with screening and monitoring patient health status.
Conducting quality assurance through 'mock' tray audits.

Requirements

To be eligible for this position, applicants must meet specific federal criteria:

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Applicants must demonstrate one year of specialized experience at the GS-04 level or higher.
Candidates may qualify via education (bachelor's degree in a relevant field) or a combination of experience and education.
Proficiency in professional verbal communication is required for patient interviewing.

Qualifications Comparison

Requirement	Education Focus	Experience Focus
Education	24+ Semester hours in Dietetics/Nutrition	N/A
Experience	1 Year of specialized work	1 Year relevant hospital/clinical duty
Verification	Official Transcripts Required	Detailed resume listing hours/week

Salary Overview

This position is compensated within the GS-05 grade level, with an annual salary range of $40,736 to $52,957. This pay includes applicable locality adjustments for the Kansas region. Salary negotiation may be possible for candidates new to the federal service.

Benefits

Federal employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Comprehensive health insurance options.
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a retirement savings and investment plan.
Federal pension eligibility.
Generous vacation time, sick leave, and federal holidays.

Application Tips

Respect the Page Limit: Your resume must be two pages or less. Submitting more will result in immediate removal from consideration.
Be Specific: Do not just list duties; explain your impact. Include the number of hours worked per week and specific dates of employment.
Use Plain Language: Avoid industry jargon that a recruiter might not understand. Make your accomplishments easy to read and quantify.
Check Your Status: Use your USAJOBS account dashboard to monitor your application progress.

Joining the Irwin Army Community Hospital team is an excellent way to apply your nutritional knowledge to support the military community. With a competitive salary, robust federal benefits, and a mission-driven work environment, this Dietetic Technician position is a prime opportunity for motivated candidates. Ensure your application is accurate, formatted correctly, and submitted before the closing date to be considered for this vital role.

Why This Dietetic Technician Job Matters

Launch a rewarding career in healthcare support as a Dietetic Technician at Irwin Army Community Hospital, where your expertise in nutrition directly impacts the wellness of those who serve our nation.

Dietetic Technician Job Overview

The Defense Health Agency is seeking a dedicated Dietetic Technician to join the team at Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas. This role is vital to our healthcare mission, providing essential support in nutritional monitoring, patient diet management, and quality assurance. As a Direct Hire position, we are looking for proactive professionals ready to contribute to an integrated healthcare system that serves our military members, retirees, and their families.

Requirements for Dietetic Technician

U.S. Citizenship.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level, involving diet order management or nutrition care planning.
Completion of a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in dietetics or nutrition (or a combination of relevant education and experience).
Must be able to provide documentation for all claimed education and experience.
Ability to work during inclement weather or emergency situations as a mission-essential employee.
Registration with the Selective Service for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Dietetic Technician

Direct experience in a clinical or hospital nutrition setting.
Proven ability to manage patient diet rosters and dietary modifications accurately.
Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication with medical staff and patients.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance programs.
✓Retirement planning through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
✓Paid federal holidays and leave accrual.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) investment options.
✓Opportunities for professional growth within the Defense Health Agency.

💡 How to Apply Dietetic Technician Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Dietetic Technician Job

Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that is strictly limited to two pages.
Complete the online questionnaire via the provided application link.
Upload all required supporting documentation, including transcripts if substituting education for experience.
Verify the completeness of your package and submit before the closing date.
Monitor your application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume to exactly two pages or less; longer resumes will be automatically disqualified.
Use plain language and avoid overly technical acronyms in your resume descriptions.
Clearly define your work hours per week and include specific dates (month and year) for all experience.
Double-check your application for accuracy before final submission to avoid being marked incomplete.
Be prepared to provide proof of citizenship and ensure any foreign education has been properly evaluated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that this is an 'open continuous' announcement?

It means the agency accepts applications on an ongoing basis. As vacancies arise, qualified candidates will be reviewed and referred to management until the announcement closes.

Is relocation assistance provided for this position?

No, payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized for this role.

What is the commitment regarding inclement weather?

This position is designated as Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential, meaning you are expected to report for duty even during severe weather or emergency conditions.

Can I apply if I don't have a degree?

Yes, if you have sufficient specialized experience that meets the 100% threshold when combining total months of experience and relevant semester hours.

What if I have foreign education?

You must provide an evaluation from a private organization that proves your foreign degree is equivalent to a U.S. accredited institution.

Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha

The Defense Health Agency is a joint, integrated combat support agency that enables the military medical services to provide a medically ready force and a ready medical force. Operating across the Department of Defense, the DHA delivers high-quality healthcare to over 9.5 million uniformed service members and their families. Working at Irwin Army Community Hospital puts you in the heart of the Flint Hills region, offering a unique blend of professional challenge and a high quality of life.