Patient Host/Hostess

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Host/Hostess is responsible for front- and back-of-house meal service processes, including menu selection, meal ticket processing, ADTs, and tray delivery and collection. The role provides a direct line of communication to nursing staff and family members and supports patient satisfaction through customer service, timely communication, and service recovery. Front-of-house duties include helping patients select meals through the menu platform, following diet orders and fluid restrictions, delivering and collecting trays, delivering tube feedings and floor stock, and supporting patient satisfaction initiatives. Back-of-house duties include answering phones, processing meal tickets, printing reports and labels, maintaining department statistics, following emergency downtime procedures, and stocking kitchen supplies. The position also follows infection-control and sanitation practices, uses two patient identifiers when entering rooms, checks expiration dates, completes assigned cleaning, and refers patients who may need further nutrition intervention to a dietitian. Scheduling is based on operational need and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between system locations may be expected. When lifting more than 50 pounds, assistance from a second person and/or a transfer device is required.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
One to two years of experience in customer service, food service, retail, nutrition, or hospitality.
Strong leadership ability and organizational skills.
Independent and critical-thinking skills and sound judgment.
Knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check through the Pennsylvania State Police system.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a healthcare setting.
ServSafe Food Safety Certification.

Responsibilities

Introduce the menu process using the menu platform and obtain selections electronically according to spoken menu guidelines.
Navigate patient profiles and follow diet orders, fluid restrictions, and patient preferences; involve family or nursing staff when appropriate.
Call patients in isolation rooms when able.
Deliver and collect meal trays and assist with tray setup as appropriate.
Deliver tube feedings to units and order and deliver floor stock to patient units.
Support patient satisfaction initiatives.
Answer phones, handle requests and issues, and notify a supervisor when needed.
Process meal tickets and print meal-service tally reports, tube-feeding labels, and paper menus for behavioral health; enter menus as needed.
Complete department spreadsheet statistics and follow downtime procedures in emergency situations.
Stock kitchen-area supplies as assigned.
Use universal precautions and follow infection-control guidelines, including those for isolation patients.
Use two patient identifiers when entering patient rooms and check expiration dates of tube feedings and pantry items.
Complete assigned daily cleaning duties.
Provide excellent customer service when entering nursing units and patient rooms, communicate directly with nursing staff, and address service issues promptly, involving a supervisor as needed.
Receive and distribute messages in a timely manner.
Identify and refer patients who require further nutrition intervention to the dietitian.
Perform other duties as assigned.