This position is located in the Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) of a Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Food Service Workers perform tasks with several steps or a sequence of tasks that requires attention to work operations. FSW can work in one or more functional areas of the kitchen such as food preparation, dish and pot washing, dry and refrigerated storage and receiving, and the serving area doing work such as portioning cold food, dipping hot food, working in the dish room and passing trays. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: 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. ["This position works in the Food Service and Food Production areas for the Tampa FL, James A Haley Veterans Hospital, Nutrition & Food Service (N&FS) and performs tasks that require attention to detail within a food service operation. This position provides patient care appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and cultural and age specific needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Duties include but not limited to: Identify obvious discrepancies between the prescribed diets and the food items designated by the menu Serve food cafeteria style by placing uniform portions of food on customers'/patients'/residents' plates Break down and clean the station when assigned Set up dining room tables for service, place food and beverages on tables, and replenish items as necessary Return soiled trays and dishes to the dish room Deliver meal trays to the patients' bedsides and report the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian Prepare beverages according to the number of servings required Prepare fresh fruit/cold salads/dressings/sandwich fillings and cold sandwiches and simple cold desserts in specified quantities Sort, wash, peel and cut cold foods using knives or other equipment Provide assistance to cooks in the food preparation area, such as weigh, measure and assemble ingredients according to standardized recipes Prepare uncooked food items, such as sandwich spread and salad dressings Operate and break down and clean all equipment assigned to food service and related areas Work Schedule: The services hours of operation are 4:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday - Saturday. The Food Service Worker, may work a 8 hour shifts or 12 hour shifts within those time frames and any day of the week including holidays. Position Description Title/PD#: Food Service Worker/PD99920A and PD99920-S Physical Requirements: The employee is responsible for following defined safety rules to avoid hazards associated with the operation and cleaning of steam, gas and electrical equipment used in N&FS. Works a rotating shift and must be available to work a varied range of hours. The employee must use proper procedures in lifting and moving heavy objects to avoid bruises, strains and other injury; must be alert to prevent falls on wet floors, burn, and scalds from hot foods and equipment, cuts from knives and other equipment, and improper use of chemicals. The employee must have the ability to work rapidly, yet efficiently to meet meal schedules and time frames; work in areas subject to change in temperature when required to enter refrigerators or freezer; is required to wear protective clothing provided when entering freezer and must be neat and clean at all times and follow standards set for proper uniform compliance. The employee may be exposed to contagious diseases while in patient care areas."]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.