Nutrition Associate

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

6d • $16 - $23 • Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is seeking a dedicated, professional, and adaptable Nutrition Associate to join Dining and Nutrition Services at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. The role focuses on customer satisfaction, confidentiality, food safety, infection control, and delivering reliable service in a fast-paced healthcare environment. Training is provided, and employees are expected to master assigned routines, food safety standards, nutrition education relevant to their work, chemicals and equipment, scripting, and customer-focused skills within their initial evaluation period.

The position supports a range of food-service activities, including patient tray transport, delivery and assembly; cashiering; physician’s dining room service; catering; food preparation; barista work; and line service. It also includes cleaning and sanitation in patient and retail kitchens, shared kitchens, and public dining rooms, in accordance with food safety procedures and hospital-specific precautions. The employee must safely operate and maintain equipment, follow infection-control and personal protective equipment guidelines, protect patient and payment information, and promptly report food, environmental, security, or nutrition-care concerns to a supervisor. The work area must be kept clean, stocked, safe, in good working condition, and ready for regulatory inspections.

This is an on-site position at a healthcare facility that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The schedule is full-time, 30 hours per week, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, with every other weekend and rotating holidays. Rotating shifts and work during inclement weather are required. The position may involve routine contact with patients who have contagious illnesses.

Requirements

• High degree of professionalism and commitment to customer and patient satisfaction.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and PCI requirements.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and learn and master assigned skills and routines.
• Ability to follow food safety, infection-control, PPE, sanitation, and equipment-safety procedures.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, every other weekend, rotating holidays, and during inclement weather.
• Ability to work in a healthcare facility open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with routine potential contact with patients who may have contagious illnesses.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including ambulating, remaining stationary, reaching or positioning to move objects above the shoulders and below the knees, frequently lifting or moving objects up to 10 pounds, and occasionally moving objects up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• University of Missouri Food Handler’s certificate within one month.
• Additional licenses or certifications as determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional, customer-focused service to patients, families, guests, medical staff, ancillary staff, departmental staff, and the public; use proper scripting and greet people positively.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and privacy in accordance with HIPAA guidelines and PCI requirements; secure and properly destroy patient information such as menu tickets.
• Follow management directives regarding work assignments, workload, and areas needing improvement; learn assigned work routines, food safety standards, relevant nutrition education, chemical and equipment use, scripting, and customer-service skills.
• Perform food-service activities such as patient tray transport, delivery and assembly; cashiering; physician’s dining room service; catering; food preparation; barista work; and line service.
• Prepare, portion, label, date, and serve products accurately while following food safety practices to prevent cross-contamination and foodborne illness.
• Clean and sanitize food-service areas, including patient kitchens, retail kitchens, shared kitchens, and public dining rooms, in accordance with regulatory requirements, food safety procedures, and hospital-specific standard precautions.
• Follow infection-control and PPE guidelines when handling food debris and items contaminated with body substances from soiled patient trays.
• Operate and maintain equipment safely; keep carts and items out of traffic ways and take steps to prevent cross-contamination and other safety issues.
• Promptly report food safety, environmental safety, security, PCI, HIPAA, or patient nutrition variances to a supervisor; help ensure the safety of the food supply and nutrition care.
• Keep the work area inspection-ready, clean, sanitized, stocked, and in good working condition; promptly address deficiencies identified by supervisors or inspections.
• Assist with food preparation or support Nutrition Associates or Culinary Associates as needed, including staff development for promotability opportunities.
• Perform other assigned duties and unit- or department-specific responsibilities.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance coverage starting day one.
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including ten holidays.
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years.
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%).
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED