Culinary Associate II - Culinary/Nutrition

Kettering Health; Hamilton (OH); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Kettering Health is seeking a Culinary Associate II to support patient care by preparing, assembling, and serving meals in line with safety standards. The role emphasizes a clean, welcoming dining environment and positive interactions with patients, staff, and visitors.

You will follow standardized recipes, manage basic cash handling, and work collaboratively with the Nutrition Care team. Prior healthcare or hospital food service experience is a plus; ServSafe certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Six months of food service, hospitality, or customer service experience.
• ServSafe certification preferred; certification within 6 months of hire encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, assemble, and serve food in accordance with safety standards.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, and welcoming dining area for patients, staff and visitors.
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure quality dining service.

Skills

Food preparation

Food safety HACCP

Operate kitchen equipment safely

Customer service

Follow recipes

Cash handling

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Responsibilities & Requirements

The Culinary Associate II supports patient care and operational reliability by preparing, assembling, and serving food in accordance with safety and quality standards. This role ensures a clean, sanitary, and welcoming environment while interacting with patients, staff, and visitors to promote a positive dining experience. Performs other duties as assigned. All job responsibilities are to be carried out in alignment with Kettering Health's mission, vision, values, and B Safe program.

Responsibilities & Requirements

The Culinary Associate II supports patient care and operational reliability by preparing, assembling, and serving food in accordance with security and quality standards. This role ensures a clean, sanitary, and welcoming environment while interacting with patients, staff, and visitors to promote a positive dining experience. Performs other duties as assigned. All job responsibilities are to be carried out in alignment with Kettering Health's mission, vision, values, and B Safe program.

Required Education

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Work Experience

• Six months of experience in food service, hospitality, or customer service, or equivalent combination of experience and training.

Skills

• Basic food preparation and service techniques
• knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards (e.g., HACCP)
• ability to operate kitchen equipment safely
• effective verbal communication and customer service skills
• ability to follow instructions and standardized recipes
• basic math and cash handling skills
• attention to detail
• ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

Competencies

• Employee uses PPE per Culinary and Nutrition Care policy
• Employee provides excellent customer service to both internal and external customers, per KHN standards
• Employee washes hands per KHN policy

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Preferred Work Experience

• One year of experience in healthcare or institutional food service preferred.

Preferred Licenses, Certifications, And Registrations

• ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification preferred.
• Ability to obtain ServSafe® Food Handler or equivalent food safety certification within 6 months of hire, if not already held.