Food Services Assistant

Houston Methodist•Houston, TX

About The Position

Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, visitors and staff. Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution. Works in conjunction with the Patient Services, Catering, Retail Services and Production staff as part of a team ensuring each delivery is accurately prepared, and on time. Follows through with resolving problems as they arise and provides leadership with a full report when issues are identified. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. Prepares and serves simple food items as directed by production sheet or menu. Delivers trays with accuracy and efficiency to designated locations to achieve established time frame for room service or traditional service meal delivery. Assists with assembling of trays on tray-line as needed. Works in the dish room as assigned. Transports pantry supplies, garbage, cardboard, and supplies to designated areas. Maintains clean, orderly storage areas with all food items. Retrieves soiled trays, returns carts in a timely manner to appropriate location. Performs patient tray setup and ensures all supplies stocked for patient tray line each meal period. Follows proper procedure in loading and transporting of food delivery carts to prevent spillage and delay of meal delivery to the patient. Accurately maintains food cart delivery log. Ensures food served is presented attractively and is held at the proper temperature. Follows all relevant local Food Ordinances including but not limited to, labeling and dating food properly to ensure freshness, properly rotates food items, and ensures all food beyond the expiration date is discarded. Ensures the service area is clean and sanitized. Follows the menu paying close attention to details. Reviews menus in advance to ensure supplies are in-house. Utilizes down time for preparation of setups to ensure menus are ready at the specified time. Minimizes food waste through portion control and ensures proper use and storage of food, supplies, and equipment to reduce departmental cost and expenses. Utilizes resources with cost-effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.) preferred
Food Handlers Permit - Various Issuers Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Working knowledge of Serve Safe guidelines and Health department standards
Knowledge of food service equipment and sanitation principles
Demonstrates active listening skills giving full attention to what other people are saying
Knowledge of kitchen equipment

Nice To Haves

Experience in a food service environment or large service establishment preferred

Responsibilities

Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, visitors and staff.
Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution.
Works in conjunction with the Patient Services, Catering, Retail Services and Production staff as part of a team ensuring each delivery is accurately prepared, and on time.
Follows through with resolving problems as they arise and provides leadership with a full report when issues are identified.
Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.
Prepares and serves simple food items as directed by production sheet or menu.
Delivers trays with accuracy and efficiency to designated locations to achieve established time frame for room service or traditional service meal delivery.
Assists with assembling of trays on tray-line as needed.
Works in the dish room as assigned.
Transports pantry supplies, garbage, cardboard, and supplies to designated areas.
Maintains clean, orderly storage areas with all food items.
Retrieves soiled trays, returns carts in a timely manner to appropriate location.
Performs patient tray setup and ensures all supplies stocked for patient tray line each meal period.
Follows proper procedure in loading and transporting of food delivery carts to prevent spillage and delay of meal delivery to the patient.
Accurately maintains food cart delivery log.
Ensures food served is presented attractively and is held at the proper temperature.
Follows all relevant local Food Ordinances including but not limited to, labeling and dating food properly to ensure freshness, properly rotates food items, and ensures all food beyond the expiration date is discarded.
Ensures the service area is clean and sanitized.
Follows the menu paying close attention to details.
Reviews menus in advance to ensure supplies are in-house.
Utilizes down time for preparation of setups to ensure menus are ready at the specified time.
Minimizes food waste through portion control and ensures proper use and storage of food, supplies, and equipment to reduce departmental cost and expenses.
Utilizes resources with cost-effectiveness and value creation in mind.
Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.
Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.
Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action.
Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.
Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.