Food Preparer, Full-time

Samaritan Healthcare•Moses Lake, WA

About The Position

The Food Preparer provides friendly, courteous service to visitors and employees and assists with preparing food for patients and personnel. The position prepares and portions foods for patient trays, supports tray assembly and service, and transports carts to and from patient areas. It also supports catering, simple food preparation, receiving and storing supplies, and maintaining clean food-service equipment and work areas. The role requires understanding Nutrition Services operations and using sound judgment when situations require decisions. This full-time position works various days of the week between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., including rotating weekends. The Food Preparer reports to the Nutrition Services Director and works closely with other Nutrition Services staff, including the Cook, Diet Assistant, and Registered Dietitian, to provide patient care and courteous food service. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and a current Washington State Food Handlers permit. One year of food service experience is preferred. The Food Preparer must be able to learn equipment operation and simple food preparation techniques, demonstrate competency on department-listed equipment, and apply safe, accountable, logical decision-making. The work involves moderate physical effort, frequent prolonged standing and walking, moving equipment and supplies, and reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, and crouching.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Current Washington State Food Handlers permit.
Ability to learn equipment operation and simple food preparation techniques.
Demonstrated competency on equipment listed on the department-specific checklist.
Critical thinking and independent problem-solving skills, including seeking guidance when necessary.
Logical, deliberate decision-making and accountability for actions.
Safe judgment and practice within legal and ethical guidelines.
Competency in caring for customers and patients across the age continuum.
Ability to communicate verbally and/or in writing to exchange information accurately with healthcare professionals, patients, families, and the public.
Ability to lift or carry up to 25 pounds, stand and walk for prolonged periods, move heavy equipment and supplies, and perform reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, and crouching.

Nice To Haves

One year of food service experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare fruits, vegetables, salads, condiments, beverages, and desserts for patient trays in a timely and sanitary manner.
Use standardized recipes and avoid food waste as applicable.
Prepare food items for catering and set up catering functions.
Maintain minimal stock of sandwich materials and use proper sandwich-making technique.
Portion cold foods for tray service and assist with tray assembly.
Clean equipment, worktables, ranges, utensils, pots, and pans using proper techniques and cleaning solutions, and follow posted cleaning schedules.
Operate the cash register, process credit card transactions and payroll deductions, count change correctly, and balance the cash drawer after each meal period.
Tally patient counts by diet in a timely manner.
Use the current Dietary Food Management system.
Set up, transport, and serve patient trays according to established schedules and procedures.
Maintain minimal stock levels in the doctor’s lounge.
Receive and properly store food and supplies, and rotate stock.
Work with the Cook, Diet Assistant, and Registered Dietitian to provide patient care.
Pursue professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations.
Follow safe work practices and policies, including those related to security, safety data sheets, equipment, infection control, fire, disaster, safe lifting, and body mechanics.
Comply with organization policies and procedures and labor agreements.
Interact with team members and support groups courteously and efficiently in keeping with organizational values.
Maintain professional conduct and appearance in accordance with organizational standards and the Professional Appearance Policy.
Handle additional accountabilities as required by management.
Provide friendly, courteous service to visitors and employees.
Maintain high sanitation standards in food handling and work areas, and clean and store food carts, pots, pans, dishware, and other food-service equipment.
Perform other assigned tasks such as catering, cleaning refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas, and simple food preparation.