Dining Services Associate

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

1d•$18 - $22

About The Position

The Dining Services Associate supports patient dining services by coordinating meal delivery with unit personnel and ensuring meal trays are accurate, attractively presented, and consistent with patients’ diet orders and preferences. The role assists patients with meal selection and, when needed, opening packages and arranging food. It communicates with nursing staff about feeding assistance, patient status and diet-order changes, and with clinical dietitians about special dietary needs and limited intake. The associate monitors patient satisfaction, responds to dining concerns and requests, delivers between-meal nourishments, retrieves trays, and helps maintain food and nutrition supplies on the unit. The position also uses diet software and portable technology to manage preferences and meal selections, performs backup procedures when systems are unavailable, and provides reports to team leaders or managers after meal periods. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Must be able to read, write, and follow instructions.
Demonstrated customer service, critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to make sound judgments while quickly processing information.
Proficiency with computer and web-based software applications and ability to adapt to regular system and process changes.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to walk and stand for extended periods.
Ability to push and/or pull carts weighing up to 250 pounds.
Physical demands include carrying objects up to 25 pounds; occasional to frequent standing and walking; occasional sitting; and close eye work such as computer use, typing, reading, and writing.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least two years of college.
Previous hospitality experience.
Experience working in a high-volume operation; fast food experience does not qualify.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with unit personnel to ensure timely meal delivery in accordance with service standards.
Ensure meal trays and components are accurate and attractively presented.
Help ensure patients receive desired food items and special requests within the limits of their diet orders.
Open packages and arrange tray items for patients when needed.
Communicate with nursing staff about patients who require feeding assistance.
Retrieve trays after meal service and return them to the kitchen or load them onto transport carts.
Enter patient food preferences into the diet software system and perform updates and backup procedures when systems or interfaces are unavailable.
Provide written reports after each meal period and promptly communicate concerns about food quality, menu selections, or meal service.
Deliver between-meal nourishments as required.
Participate in Unit Practice Councils and other meetings to identify and resolve patient dining service issues.
Monitor patient satisfaction and address food service concerns.
Serve as a liaison between dining services and nursing units.
Interact frequently with patients and families and provide excellent customer service.
Use portable technology to review menu options and help patients select meals that comply with diet orders, allergies, intolerances, and cultural or religious needs.
Keep clinical dietitians informed about special dietary requirements and patients with limited intake.
Inform patients about menu ordering processes, diet specifications, and meal distribution.
Receive calls and communications from patients and nursing staff about special requests or diet-order changes.
Communicate with nursing staff about anticipated admissions, transfers, discharges, and diet changes.
Observe patient intake at meals and notify clinical dietitians of limited intake.
Inventory floor stock as needed and monitor enteral food supplies.
Help maintain supplies needed to support food and nutrition services on the unit.
Monitor supply usage and report changes in needs to appropriate personnel.
Perform other related duties as assigned.