Food Service Assistant

Mercy Aged and Community Care Ltd; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Mercy Health in Ballarat is seeking a Food Service Assistant (casual) to support meal preparation, service, and dining room operations in our aged care setting. You will follow food safety protocols, engage with residents, and work closely with kitchen and care teams to ensure high-quality meals and a respectful, friendly dining experience.

Ideal candidates bring food safety training, kitchen experience in aged care, and a genuine desire to support older adults with compassionate service.

Qualifications

• Food safety certification or training required.
• Experience in food service or kitchen environment, preferably in aged care.
• Understanding of nutritional Requirements in aged care.
• Good verbal communication with residents and staff.
• Team-oriented approach to support quality care.

Responsibilities

• Meal preparation and service according to dietary requirements and resident preferences.
• Follow food safety protocols to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination.
• Engage with residents during mealtimes, offering companionship and support.
• Clean and maintain kitchen and dining areas to ensure a tidy environment.
• Assist with dietary needs in collaboration with dietitians and care staff.
• Participate in training on food safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with chefs and kitchen staff for smooth operations.
• Gather resident feedback on meals to drive improvements.

Skills

Food safety cert

Kitchen experience

Dietary needs knowledge

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Job description

Employment Type: Casual

Location: Mercy Place Ballarat

Where there’s life, there’s Mercy. Where there’s care, there’s You. Through the battles and the breakthroughs, we’re there. Where will you be? For over a century, our incredible teams have provided care for people when they need it most. Our people feel great pride in that, and they value the security and stability we offer. But it also means so much opportunity - to build on all that’s gone before, to grow your impact and gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. As a for-purpose organisation with over 10,000 dedicated, compassionate people, we continue to offer more services and deeper care than ever before. With Mercy, you’ll have the chance to make an impact and gain experience that’s hard to find elsewhere. At Mercy Health, it’s all about taking what we have and making it better. To do that, we need you. Join us at Mercy Health, and help our teams deliver even greater outcomes.

About the opportunity

At Mercy Health, each moment, no matter how small, truly matters - and as a Food Service Assistant, you’ll create cherished moments each day.

• Meal Preparation: Assists in preparing and serving meals according to dietary requirements and resident preferences.
• Food Safety: Follows food safety protocols to ensure hygiene and prevent contamination.
• Resident Interaction: Engages with residents during mealtime, providing companionship and support.
• Cleaning Duties: Cleans and maintains kitchen and dining areas, ensuring a tidy environment.
• Assisting with Dietary Needs: Works with dietitians to accommodate special dietary needs and preferences.
• Training and Compliance: Participates in training on food safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Collaboration: Works closely with chefs and other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.
• Feedback Collection: Gathers feedback from residents about meal quality and preferences for improvement.

What you’ll bring

You’re reliable, resilient and have a whole lot of heart. Most importantly, you are genuinely interested in supporting others and making a difference in your community. To thrive in this role, you will have:

• Food Handling Certification: Completion of food safety training or certification, often required by local health regulations.
• Experience: Previous experience in food service or a kitchen environment, especially in aged care, is beneficial.
• Knowledge of Dietary Needs: Understanding of nutritional requirements and dietary restrictions common in aged care.
• Communication Skills: Good verbal communication skills to interact effectively with residents and staff.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Physical Stamina: Capability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, standing for long periods, and moving equipment.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail, especially regarding food presentation and safety practices.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

You will also be required to provide the below: NDIS clearance OR NDIS application and recent police check.

Ready to help us shape the future of healthcare? Join us and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives - and your career.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples, traditional Custodians of the Land in which our Head Office is based, on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation and recognise their deep connections to the land, sea, and culture. We extend this acknowledgment to the many Traditional Lands that we operate across Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

The team at Mercy Health is as wonderfully diverse as the patients, residents, clients and communities we support. We’re proud to be recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA). Mercy Health strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, sexualities, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds. Mercy Health Australia is renowned for its unwavering commitment to providing compassionate and patient-centered health services and aged care services. If you're value and display empathy, integrity, and are seeking the opportunity to make a real difference, we invite you to join us! Mercy Health is made up of 10,000 people who provide acute and subacute hospital care, aged care, mental health programs, maternity and specialist women’s health services, early parenting services, home care services and health worker training and development. Mercy Health employs people from many cultures and backgrounds who, irrespective of their beliefs, share a common bond to care for those in need. We look forward to welcoming you to your journey with Mercy Health.