Diet Clerk

Grande International Hospital; La Grande (OR); On-site; USD 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

FSA/HSA options

401K with employer match

Job summary

Grande Ronde Hospital in Oregon is seeking a Diet Clerk to manage patient diet orders, communicate with nursing and dietary staff, and ensure meals follow prescribed therapeutic diets while maintaining accurate records.

The role involves entering orders, monitoring dietary changes, assisting with menu planning, coordinating tray line assembly, and supporting safe food handling. 12-hour shifts 0500-1800; compensation $20.99-$28.94; benefits included.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; AA/AS preferred.
• Food Handler Certification required.
• ServSafe Food Manager or CDM preferred.
• Healthcare or large-volume food service experience preferred.
• Experience with therapeutic or modified diets preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interview patients or family to obtain diet histories and ensure plans meet diverse needs.
• Enter and update patient diet orders including special diets and allergies; communicate changes to staff.
• Plan, modify, and implement menu changes based on regular or special diet orders.
• Coordinate with Cooks and Food Service Workers for tray line accuracy and timely service.
• Monitor food temperatures and ensure safety compliance; follow infection control procedures.
• Maintain diet records, calorie counts, procurement logs, and billing codes for regulatory purposes.

Skills

Food safety

Dietary knowledge

Data entry

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

AA/AS preferred

Tools

MS Office

Nutrition management software

Job description

Job Category: Non-Clinical Support Services

Requisition Number: DIETC002581

• Posted : August 26, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

• Pay or shift range: $20.99 USD to $28.94 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

The Diet Clerk is responsible for receiving, processing and managing patient diet orders, ensuring that meals are prepared in accordance with prescribed therapeutic diets and hospital dietary policies. This role serves as a critical link between nursing, dietary staff, and the nutrition services department by accurately entering diet orders, monitoring compliance, and communicating dietary changes or special instructions. The Diet Clerk supports patient care and safety by maintaining precise records, assisting with menu planning as needed, and contributing to a positive patient experience through timely and accurate meal service.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required. AA, AAS, BA, or BS degree preferred.
• Food Handler Certification from an approved OHA source required.
• Credentials as a ServSafe Food Manager or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) preferred.
• Experience in a healthcare, institutional, or large-volume food service setting preferred.
• Experience with therapeutic or modified diets (e.g., diabetic, low sodium, renal, pureed, etc.) preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Interviews patients or family members to obtain diet histories and ensure dietary plans meet individual needs across all ethnicities, religions, cultures, and age groups, from pediatric to geriatric populations.
• Accurately enter and update patient diet orders, including special diets, allergies, and provider-prescribed modifications. Communicate dietary changes, special instructions, and patient needs to dietary staff and nursing units.
• Assist in planning, modifying, and implementing menu preparation, substitutions, or changes based on regular, modified, and special diet orders, ensuring compliance with dietary standards.
• Collaborate with Cooks and Food Service Workers to ensure timely and accurate patient tray line assembly and distribution to patients. Monitor and replenish floor stock orders.
• Monitor food temperatures during preparation, holding, and service to ensure compliance with food safety guidelines.
• Follow safe food handling and storage procedures to maintain compliance with hospital, state, and federal infection control regulations.
• Clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, work surfaces, storage areas, and equipment in accordance with hospital and health department standards, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen and dining environment.
• Maintain accurate diet records, calorie counts, menu modifications, procurement logs, and billing codes for budgetary and regulatory purposes.
• Assist with receiving, verifying, and documenting vendor orders, managing returns, and supporting the procurement of food and dietary supplies to ensure adequate inventory, quality, and compliance with hospital standards.
• Enhances the overall patient and customer experience by preparing and presenting high-quality meals that meet dietary requirements, supporting timely meal service, and demonstrating courtesy and professionalism to patients, staff, and visitors.
• Assists with coordinating staff schedules, reviewing and implementing departmental policies, and achieving departmental goals; assume responsibility for department operations in the absence of the Manager, Supervisor, and Clinical Dietitian.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, to meet patient care needs; performs other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of safe food handling, storage and sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of special diets (e.g., diabetic, low-sodium, renal, pureed, etc.) and ability to follow prescribed modifications.
• Strong attention to detail with accuracy in data and order entry to ensure adherence to dietary and safety standards.
• Ability to maintain records and manage time, including planning and organizing work to meet meal schedules and service demands.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment with Cooks, Food Services Workers, Diet Clerks, and other clinical personnel.
• Ability to follow infection control protocols, including proper personal and hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Skilled in using computers and information management systems, including MS Office and nutrition management software, to enter and update patient diet information and communicate with interdisciplinary team members.
• Skilled in customer service, demonstrating courtesy, professionalism, and responsiveness to enhance the overall experience for patients, staff, and visitors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Primarily sedentary work, with frequent periods of standing and walking to patient units or dietary areas.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of light items (up to 25 pounds).
• Manual dexterity required for typing, filing, handling paperwork, and operating office equipment.
• Visual and auditory ability needed to accurately enter diet orders, read menus, and communicate effectively.
• Occasional exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue, communicable diseases, chemicals, including but not limited to sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items.
  Employee eligible for Hepatitis B Vaccination if desired.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Shift Details: 12-hour shifts currently, 0500-1800.

Looking for someone with the assertiveness to lead, the compassion to support, the knowledge to teach and the humility to learn.
Therapeutic diet knowledge helpful but not required, we can train the right person.
Must be skilled in computer use and provide excellent customer service.

Compensation: $20.99-$28.94 DOE

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA and Health Savings Account (HSA) Options
• 401K Plan with Roth Options
• 401K 3% employer match and a 2% base non-elective employer contribution
• Eligibility for company-paid benefits such as life insurance and long-term disability, subject to applicable waiting periods
• Option to elect Supplemental employee, spouse, and child life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts: available for meals in the cafeteria and over-the-counter pharmacy items
• Exercise/Fitness Facility: access to the Rehab Therapy Fitness Center for the employee and dependents

Expectations for All Employees: Support the organization’s mission, vision and values by adhering to thebehavioral standards of Grande Ronde Hospital. Comply with all laws and regulations affecting Grande Ronde Hospital. Be familiar with and adhere to the Personnel Policy Manual and the Code of Conduct and support the Grande Ronde Hospital Compliance Program. Effective communication skills and the ability work effectively with people from various backgrounds are critical.

Mission: Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics will ensure access to high quality, cost-effective health care in a safe and customer-friendly environment for all those in need of our services.

Vision: Quality health care is our mission. Patients are our passion.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or GED or better.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Food Handler

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.