DIET CLERK

Covenant Health; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant Health's Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is seeking a Food Service Worker / Diet Clerk for full-time shifts. The role acts as the primary liaison between patients, nursing staff, and the Food Services department to ensure meal requests and dietary needs are accurately met.

Responsibilities include preparing meals per diet orders, handling patient meal orders by phone or in person, and performing clerical tasks with attention to accuracy and safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with basic English, math and grammar coursework.
• Able to read with comprehension, write legibly and perform simple arithmetic.
• Experience in a clerical role preferred (minimum six months).

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals in response to patient diets and changes; refer questions to clinical dietitians when needed.
• Answer calls and take patient meal orders using standard department format.
• Visit patients to collect meal preferences and place orders; contact those who have not ordered.
• Prepare nourishments and supplements as needed.
• Generate reports as required.
• NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Meal ordering

Telephone skills

Clerical tasks

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Food Service Worker | Diet Clerk, Food Services

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Variable Shifts

Methodist Overview:

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, is a trusted regional hospital serving East Tennessee with advanced care anda personaltouch. With more than 30 specialties, including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and vascular care, thefacilityoffers innovative treatments for complex conditions like aneurysms, joint damage, heart failure, and chronic wounds. Backed by a team of over 1,000 healthcare professionals and 250 physicians, MethodistMedical Centercombinesstate-of-the-arttechnology with compassionate care, earning national recognition for patient safety and excellence in stroke and heart care. Our facilities offer patients all the benefits of medicalexpertiseand innovation while still embodying the convenience of a hometown medical center that is close to the support of family and friends.

Job Objectives:

To serve as the primary point of communication between patients, nursing staff, and others and Food Services department; and to accurately process meal requests as ordered, ensuring the patient’s special diet needs are met.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals in response to new diets, diet changes, tube feedings, or supplements for patient trays accurately; Refers meal requests and questions to the clinical dietitians when unable to process or answer accurately;
• Visits patients in their room or answers telephone appropriately utilizing the department’s written format for taking patient meal orders, and utilizing customer service skills as established by MMC. Performs all clerical tasks correctly and attentively;
• Collects and maintains food preferences for patients and places meal orders; and contacts patients who have not placed meal orders.
• Prepares nourishments and supplements,
• Generates reports as needed.
• NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Other duties as assigned.
• HEALTH/SAFETY/COMPETENCE: Cannot pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others. Must provide safe, efficient, competent care to customer or patient population. Must demonstrate competency of the functions described in the performance continuum and skills list.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent is required, with course work to include English, mathematics and grammar. Must be able to read with comprehension, write legibly and perform simple arithmetic calculations. Must be familiar with general office practices such as accurate filing and effective general office machine usage, and must possess excellent telephone skills. Must be capable of performing repetitive clerical tasks on a continuous basis. Must show good judgment and reliability and be able to work without direct supervision.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of six months’ experience in a clerical position is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS:

None is required