Patient Meal Room Service Associate – Part Time

Wellstar Health System•Marietta, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role represents Patient Meal Room Service to Patients and the Nursing team, reporting directly to Nutrition & Food Service management. The primary focus is taking ownership of Patient Meal Service for assigned Unit(s) and ensuring a positive Patient experience. This includes introducing Patients to the Patient Meal Room Service program and meal ordering process, and entering meal selections into N&FS software systems while adhering to therapeutic diets and food allergies. The role involves taking Room Service calls and consistently providing professional, courteous, and efficient customer service. Safety is paramount, requiring confirmation of Patient identity using two identifiers, ensuring meal accuracy, and following infection prevention practices, including during Isolation precautions. The associate takes ownership of their Unit assignment with minimal supervision, acting as the N&FS liaison between the Patient and the care team. They also deliver nutrition supplies to Units as required, following safety protocols regarding expiration dates, and complete all other assigned job duties. Providing meals to Patients in a professional, courteous, and timely manner, working with diet-specific menus, and collaborating with Nursing on assigned floors are key aspects of the role. The position operates a call center that serves as the communication hub for Patient Meal Room Service, receiving and entering orders using nutrition software, and assisting with daily reporting. Exceptional customer service, with a focus on accuracy, safety, and efficiency, is required at all times.

Requirements

High School Diploma or the equivalent preferred.
Minimum 2 years’ foodservice, and / or customer service, and / or related experience required.
Healthcare or hospitality foodservice experience highly preferred.
Servsafe Food Handler AND ServSafe Allergen certifications required within 90 days of hire.
Must be able to communicate and understand the English language, both written and orally.
Must exhibit outstanding interpersonal skills required to work well with others.
Must be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of modified diets.
Must possess adequate phone skills for interacting with our customers (internal and external) and perform duties in a very busy environment.
Must be able to demonstrate a positive attitude in all customer / patient interactions.
Must be able to utilize N&FS software systems.

Nice To Haves

Healthcare or hospitality foodservice experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensures the Safety of Patients and Team Members (according to state, county and national regulatory bodies): Washes hands frequently and wears gloves appropriately. Performs hand hygiene upon entering and exiting patient rooms. Follows infection prevention practices, including personal hygiene expectations (i.e., fingernail length and finish) and reports potential risks. Maintains all work areas in a clean and organized manner, free of spills and fall hazards. Delivers patient meal trays and verifies patient identity using two patient identifiers. Verifies menu selections are accurate and compliant with the patient’s diet order and food allergies. Escalates food allergy and diet consistency concerns to N&FS Leadership and/or Clinical Dietitian. Promptly reports adverse food reactions. Stores food and/or supplies using proper labeling, dating and rotation methods. Operates equipment according to all safety guidelines and escalates any unsafe conditions (i.e., frayed electrical cords and out-of-range temperatures.) Uses IT equipment appropriately and protects confidential information, including passwords.
Ensures Positive Service Outcomes: Follows dept. work schedule (including weekends and holidays) and arrives at the workstation prior to task start time. Sets up, maintains, and breaks down workstation according to area requirements. Follows written and verbal instructions with accuracy and attention to detail. Completes area checklists and forms, as assigned. Operates and cares for equipment according to manufacturer’s and area-specific guidelines. Assesses patient’s ability to utilize the meal order system and follows up with appropriate staff member if unable to fully participate. Assists patients with menu selections as needed, considering food preferences, allergies and other diet information, in a timely manner. Enters menu selections in the N&FS software accurately and in a timely manner. Reviews and appropriately responds to reports and N&FS orders from the electronic medical record. Appropriately utilizes all N&FS software and adapts and learns new systems as new technologies are applied Learns and carries out computer downtime procedures appropriate for assignment. Verifies patient satisfaction with meals and conducts internal patient satisfaction surveys, as requested. Delivers meals to patients that meet their needs according to their cultural, spiritual, ethnic and age-specific considerations. As required, delivers meals to patients on Isolation precautions and follows all Infection Prevention guidelines. Retrieves dirty trays from patient rooms and assists with soiled meal tray carts on patient floors. Prepares and delivers snacks to patients and/or nursing units, as required. Performs dept. duties to include, but not limited to: Dishroom, rolling silverware, floor stock replenishment, supplies requisitions, break room and general clean up. Remains flexible to support other Team Members across the dept. to achieve desired service outcomes. Intervenes and resolves customer service issues as necessary; uses judgment to escalate customer service concerns to supervisor when needed to ensure best patient experience.
Engages in Efforts to Create a World Class Work Environment: Follows work area’s uniform specifications, i.e., clothing and shoes are neat and clean. Collaborates with Team Members and leadership to meet the goals and objectives of the dept. and hospital. Communicates in a respectful manner and in terms that are clear and concise. Respects the cultural traditions of Team Members, patients and customers. Maintains competency in N&FS software and associated equipment utilized for patient meal services.
Required for All Jobs: Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Benefits

Support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life.
Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.
Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care and inclusive culture, Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems.
Every day, 24,000+ of us work together to provide personalized care for patients at every age and stage of life – and our team members are the foundation of that care.
Mission, Vision & Values At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients’ and team members’ expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery.
OUR MISSION: To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.
OUR VISION: Deliver world-class healthcare to every person, every time.
OUR VALUES: We serve with compassion We pursue excellence We honor every voice
Culture of Excellence Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care.
Our system-wide practice of safety principles, assessing and addressing errors and seeking feedback from our patients and customers continually earns recognition for advances in safety and quality.
Featured on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and Seramount 100 Best Companies list, we not only provide top-notch care for our patients, but also foster the culture of Wellstar as a Great Place to Work.