Food Preparer, Full Time

Samaritan Healthcare; Moses Lake (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Samaritan is seeking a dedicated Food Preparer to support Nutrition Services. You will prepare fruits, vegetables, desserts, and patient trays while maintaining sanitation and safety standards. The role involves cash handling, catering setup, and assisting the diet team to ensure timely meal service.

The position requires a High School diploma or GED, WA State Food Worker Card, and prior food service experience. It is an on-site, full-time role with varied shifts and weekend rotation.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: One year of food service preferred.
• License: WA State Food Worker Card.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patient trays and food items according to standardized recipes.
• Operates cash register and handles payments including payroll deductions.
• Maintains sanitation and cleanliness of work areas and equipment.
• Cleans and maintains kitchen tools, dishes, and storage areas.
• Assists in catering setups and patient tray service.
• Works with Cook, Diet Assistant and Dietitian to provide patient care.
• Ensures safety and policy compliance in daily operations.

Skills

Customer service

Food handling

Cash handling

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Category: Facilities & Support Services

Requisition Number: FOODP004773

• Posted : September 30, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• Hourly Range: $18.94 USD to $23.58 USD

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

Our Mission

All of us, for each of you, every time.

Our Vision

Together, serving as the trusted regional healthcare partner.

Our Values

At Samaritan, we do more than deliver healthcare—we make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community every day. We’re committed to creating an exceptional workplace where professionals feel valued, supported, and inspired to provide outstanding care to every patient we serve.

The Food Preparer is responsible for providing friendly, courteous service to visitors and employees. Assists in preparation of all foods for patients and personnel. Capable of operating a cash register, credit card transaction, payroll deduct and making correct change. Ability to operate a variety of kitchen appliances. Maintains high standards of sanitation in food handling and in work area. Sets up patient food trays, assembles cold food on trays, assists in tray service, and transports carts to and from patient areas. May perform a variety of other tasks such as catering, cleaning refrigerators, freezers and storage areas, helping with simple food preparation as assigned. Responsible for daily cleaning and storage of food carts, pots and pans, dishware, and other food service equipment. The individual in this position will be required to fully understand the purpose and operation of Nutrition Services along with having the ability to make decisions based on sound judgment when a situation dictates.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time position working various days of the week between the hours of 11:00am - 7:30pm and rotating weekends.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 1. Prepares fruits, vegetables, salads, condiments, beverages and desserts for patient trays in a timely, sanitary manner.
• 2. Uses standardized recipes and avoids food waste as applicable.
• 3. Prepares food items for catering and sets up catering functions.
• 4. Maintains minimal stock of sandwich material, uses proper sandwich making technique.
• 5. Portions cold foods for tray service and assists in tray assembly.
• 6. Cleans equipment, worktables, ranges, utensils, pots, and pans using proper techniques and cleaning solutions. Follows posted cleaning schedules.
• 7. Uses cash register, credit card transaction and payroll deduct in proper manner. Is able to count change correctly. Balances cash drawer after each meal period.
• 8. Tallies patient count by diets in a timely fashion.
• 9. Familiar with current Dietary Food Management system.
• 10. Sets up, transports, and serves patient trays in accordance with established schedule and procedures.
• 11. Maintains minimal stock levels in the doctor’s lounge.
• 12. Receives and properly stores food and supplies; rotates stock.
• 13. Works closely with Cook, Diet Assistant and Registered Dietitian to provide exceptional patient care.
• 14. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.
• 15. Ensures no injuries to self or others by following safe work practices and policies. This includes, but is not limited to: security and safety, understanding of MSDS, equipment, infection control, fire, disaster, safe lifting and body mechanics.
• 16. Ensures self-compliance with organization policies and procedures, as well as labor agreements.
• 17. Ensures the interface with team members and other support groups is conducted in a courteous and efficient manner conducive with the organization’s values.
• 18. Conducts self in a professional manner and ensures personal appearance meets the standards necessary to perform the job function while representing the organization.
• 19. Ensures that additional accountabilities, as may be required by management, be handled in a manner necessary to meet organizational standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The individual in this position reports to the Nutrition Services Director. This position works closely with other Nutrition Services staff in order to provide friendly, courteous food service to visitors and employees.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• License: Current Washington State Food Handlers permit.
• Experience: One year of food service experience preferred
• Ability to learn the operation of equipment and simple food preparation techniques.
• Demonstrates competency on equipment listed on department specific checklist.
• Critical thinking skills: Seeks resources for direction, when necessary. Performs independent problem solving. Decision-making is logical and deliberate.
• Performs actions that demonstrate accountability. Exercises safe judgment in decision-making. Practices within legal and ethical guidelines.
• Demonstrates competency in ability to care for customers/patients across the age continuum.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 25 lbs.).
• Frequent prolonged standing/walking.
• Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies.
• Considerable reaching, kneeling, bending, stooping, and crouching.
• Ability to communicate using verbal and/or written skills for accurate exchange of information with physicians, nurses, health care professionals, patients and/or family, and the public.

As a Samaritan professional, you will be asked to commit to being part of a culture grounded in our Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy that brings service and operational excellence to life each day while creating an exceptional experience for our patients, professionals, physicians, and students. Additionally, how we present ourselves matters, and adherence to our Professional Appearance Policy reflects the pride, respect, and professionalism we bring to those we serve.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or better.

Experience

Preferred

1 year:

Licenses & Certifications

Required

WA State Food Worker Card

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.