Patient Dining Associate

Palomar Health•Escondido, CA

9d•$21 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

Performs a variety of duties involved with providing patient menu selection, menu editing, and passing patient trays. Responsible for patient food service on assigned units, e.g., menu selections, tray assembly, tray delivery and pick up, special requests and needs, restocking, and in-between meal food delivery. Complies with dietary restrictions on special, modified diets to ensure optimal food preferences are met within guidelines of diet order limitations. Offers alternatives to menu as allowed on prescribed diet in accordance with food allergies and sensitivities, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences, when patient inquires or needs additional selections. Ensures meal orders are placed in compliance to MD orders. Cleans assigned areas following established practices and procedures for quality, safety and infection control. Limited cash handling (collect money to pay for guest meals, celebration meals etc). Assembles trays according to patients menu on tray tickets in a timely and accurate manner. Interacts with Nursing to ensure patients' diet prescriptions are accurate, and patients' food needs are met. Completes catering rounds after passing trays to inquire if patient needs anything else. Retrieves trays from patients' rooms shortly after completing round. Maintains accurate and current information for each patient on assigned unit(s). Assists dietitian with monitoring of patients who are NPO, on liquid diets or have a calorie count ordered. Communicates any patient related problems/concerns to appropriate personnel, in a timely manner following departmental procedures. Contributes to patient satisfaction goals by providing quality service. Follows HACCP guidelines when assembling and distributing food supplies to ensure quality and safety of food supply. Completes all daily, weekly or monthly reports as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures on a timely basis meeting all prescribed deadlines. Responds to utility failures following department guidelines. Participates and attends departmental meetings and staff development programs, as appropriate. Exhibits pleasant and cheerful demeanor and maintains a helpful attitude towards employees, physicians, patients, and visitors. Speak and read English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. Knowledge of standard office equipment (i.e., calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (i.e., MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, Powerpoint, internet, e-mail). Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, use of mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, use of drop down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying and similar operations required upon employment or within the 1st two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job. Performs other duties as assigned. Follows Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards. Carries out the mission, vision, and quality commitment of Palomar Health.

Requirements

High School Diploma and/or combination of education and experience
6 months food service experience, preferably diet office, healthcare or institutional food service
Valid food handler card issued by a San Diego county authorized food handler training school
Speak and read English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position.
Knowledge of standard office equipment (i.e., calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (i.e., MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, Powerpoint, internet, e-mail).
Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, use of mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, use of drop down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying and similar operations required upon employment or within the 1st two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job.

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree, certification as dietary manager, or equivalent
1 - 2 years of customer service
1 - 2 years diet office or healthcare food service
Valid Driver's License

Responsibilities

Provide patient menu selection, menu editing, and passing patient trays.
Responsible for patient food service on assigned units, including menu selections, tray assembly, tray delivery and pick up, special requests and needs, restocking, and in-between meal food delivery.
Comply with dietary restrictions on special, modified diets.
Offer alternatives to menu as allowed on prescribed diet in accordance with food allergies and sensitivities, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences.
Ensure meal orders are placed in compliance to MD orders.
Clean assigned areas following established practices and procedures for quality, safety and infection control.
Handle limited cash transactions for guest meals, celebration meals, etc.
Assemble trays according to patients' menus on tray tickets in a timely and accurate manner.
Interact with Nursing to ensure patients' diet prescriptions are accurate and patients' food needs are met.
Complete catering rounds after passing trays to inquire if patient needs anything else.
Retrieve trays from patients' rooms shortly after completing round.
Maintain accurate and current information for each patient on assigned unit(s).
Assist dietitian with monitoring of patients who are NPO, on liquid diets or have a calorie count ordered.
Communicate any patient related problems/concerns to appropriate personnel in a timely manner following departmental procedures.
Contribute to patient satisfaction goals by providing quality service.
Follow HACCP guidelines when assembling and distributing food supplies.
Complete all daily, weekly or monthly reports as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.
Respond to utility failures following department guidelines.
Participate and attend departmental meetings and staff development programs.
Exhibit pleasant and cheerful demeanor and maintain a helpful attitude towards employees, physicians, patients, and visitors.
Speak and read English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position.
Utilize standard office equipment and personal computer and computer software skills.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Follow Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards.
Carry out the mission, vision, and quality commitment of Palomar Health.