Catering Associate F

Frederick Health•Frederick, MD

2h•$18 - $23

About The Position

The Catering Associate provides personalized meal service to hospitalized patients of all ages, including patients who are NPO or receiving tube feedings. The role involves direct patient contact to assist with bedside meal selections, dietary needs, and special requests using an electronic device. Duties also include serving meals, stocking nourishment rooms, assembling and delivering trays, picking up trays, and cleaning and clearing patient dishware. The associate supports Frederick Health’s mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy; follows the FH Compliance Program and regulatory requirements; and adheres to the FH Standards of Behavior. The position primarily works a 12-hour shift from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and reports to the Patient Services Manager, receiving oversight and direction from the Diet Clerk, Patient Service Supervisors, Director, and Clinical Nutrition Manager.

Requirements

Proficiency with computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Email, API, Meditech, and Computrition.
Possess or be able to learn basic diet knowledge, including modified diets, and demonstrate understanding by appropriately altering patient menus.
Strong time-management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
Attention to detail while providing personalized service; ability to identify solutions to service issues and use critical thinking to resolve them promptly.
Excellent verbal and oral communication skills for interacting effectively with patients, families, managers, and coworkers from a diverse population.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
One year of previous food-service experience working directly with customers, clients, or patients.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Food-service experience in an acute-care setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Know the facility’s diets and guidelines for appropriate meal options.
Record patient meal selections using a computer-based menu system, with the ability to use paper tickets when needed.
Work directly with patients, including late admissions, to select meals.
Coordinate with Nursing to verify diet prescriptions and meet patients’ dietary needs.
Maintain accurate, current information for patients on assigned units.
Assist the dietitian with monitoring patients who are NPO, on liquid diets, or have a calorie count ordered; post calorie-count tickets for documentation.
Use two patient identifiers to verify that meals are delivered to the correct patient.
Follow required timelines for collecting meal selections and completing them before workstation tray assembly.
Introduce the meal service and menu, offer permitted alternatives that account for prescribed diets and patient preferences, and provide basic information about what patients can expect during their hospital stay.
Manage complaints appropriately and bring them to the manager’s attention.
Follow HACCP guidelines when assembling and distributing food supplies to maintain food quality and safety.
Use equipment according to departmental safety procedures and follow facility and departmental safety policies, including incident reporting.
Identify and use cleaning chemicals according to manufacturer instructions and departmental safety procedures.
Serve meals; stock nourishment rooms; assemble, deliver, and pick up trays; and clean and clear patient dishware.
Incorporate Frederick Health’s mission, vision, core values, and customer service philosophy into job performance and comply with regulatory requirements and the FH Standards of Behavior.