Food Service Assistant

Advocate Health

7d•$19 - $28

About The Position

The Food Service Assistant supports food preparation and service in a hospital setting. The role assembles patient and mobile meal trays in accordance with approved diet guidelines, prepares food and beverages using standardized recipes, and follows productivity and food-safety standards. Duties also include delivering meals and stocking nursing units and other designated areas, serving customers in retail and cafeteria settings, maintaining cleanliness, and assisting with catered events and promotions. The position requires use of food-service equipment and adherence to established sanitation and safe-handling procedures.

Requirements

No formal education required.
No experience required.
Basic food-service knowledge from a hospital, hotel, restaurant, or related environment.
Ability to read and understand written and oral communications.
Good communication and customer-service skills for interacting with internal and external customers.
Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office or similar products, and ability to use email and the internet.
Ability to operate food-service equipment, including a dish machine, tray line, and garbage disposal, safely and effectively.
Ability to stand, walk, reach above the shoulders, squat, bend, twist, kneel, and climb throughout the shift.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds from the floor to a maximum height of 5 feet and carry up to 40 pounds at waist height a reasonable distance.
Ability to push and pull with 20 pounds of force.
Ability to wear protective clothing as necessary and appropriate coverings when entering patient isolation rooms.
Ability to work around fumes, odors, dust and dirt, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards, sharp knives and cooking utensils, and heat from ovens.

Responsibilities

Assemble patient and mobile meal trays and meals according to approved diet guidelines, portions, and productivity standards.
Load and transport food carts and deliver patient meal trays to rooms according to established procedures.
Serve cafeteria visitors, maintain cafeteria cleanliness, operate the cash register, handle cash, and complete daily reports and balance sheets as needed.
Perform kitchen and cafeteria cleaning using established sanitation procedures; wash pots, pans, and dishes.
Assist with preparation, delivery, setup, cleanup, and presentation of catered and specialized events, including special-day promotions and decorating.
Display daily specials and coordinate food preparation and presentation for major catering events.
Prepare snacks, beverages, sandwiches, and other patient food items according to standardized recipes and approved diet guidelines.
Prepare, arrange, serve, and replenish food, beverages, and condiments in retail areas and the kitchen.
Prepare entrees, grill and deli sandwiches, and salads, emphasizing garnishing and presentation.
Replenish food-service areas with dishes, utensils, glassware, napkins, and trays.
Deliver and stock supplies to nursing units, doctors' lounges, same-day surgery, and emergency rooms according to established procedures and productivity standards.
Monitor food temperatures and follow procedures for safe food handling and prevention of foodborne illness.