FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATE

Independence Health System; Latrobe (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System is seeking a Food Service Associate to support the Food and Nutrition Department. The role involves working at patient and retail meal service stations, delivering meals and supplies, and performing dishwashing and sanitation tasks.

Candidates should have a HS diploma or equivalent, 0–1 year in food service, and strong organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of HACCP and cleanliness standards is preferred; ServSafe certification is a plus.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 0–1 year of experience in food service, sanitation, or service industry.
• Strong leadership, organizational, independent thinking, and sound judgment abilities.
• Excellent communication when explaining complex topics to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Works at multiple stations in patient meal service area.
• Delivers carts, meals and supplies to patient units.
• Performs dishwashing and pot washing.
• Serves food in retail areas and stocks department supplies.
• Follows HACCP guidelines for food preparation and storage.
• Records temperatures and uses hygiene protocols.
• Maintains a sanitary work area and follows MSDS guidelines.

Skills

Leadership ability

Organizational skills

Independent thinking

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma, GED or higher

Job description

Performs a variety of duties in operational support of the Food and Nutrition Department which includes cleaning, ware washing, serving, food preparation, food transport, and stocking of supplies.

Essential Job Functions

• Patient and Retail Services
  • Works various stations in patient meal service area.
  • Delivers carts, meals and supplies to patient units.
  • Performs dishwashing and pot washing.
  • Serves food in the retail areas.
  • Stocks supplies throughout the department.
  • Fills in for cross-trained roles in the department.
• Regulatory/Sanitation
  • Maintains work area in a sanitary manner; completes cleaning duties.
  • Prepares, serves, and stores foods according to HACCP guidelines.
  • Practices good hygiene including hand washing, wearing hair restraints, and glove usage.
  • Utilizes FIFO when obtaining foods from storage areas.
  • Takes and records temperatures of food during meal periods.
  • Checks sanitizer in pots area with test strips and records at each fill.
  • Records dish machine temperatures each meal period.
  • Uses two patient identifiers when delivering trays to patients.
• Safety
  • Uses equipment in a safe manner; reports any issues immediately.
  • Cleans equipment according to established guidelines.
  • Refers to and follows MSDS guidelines for chemical usage and storage.
  • Uses proper body techniques in lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Performs excellent customer service skills with all customers and coworkers.
• Handles service recovery immediately or involves supervisor as needed.
• Receives and distributes all messages in a timely manner
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• Zero (0) to One (1) year of experience in food service, sanitation, or service industry.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• One (1) to Three (3) years’ experience in Food Service.
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• ServSafe Food Safety Certification preferred.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

x

x

Extreme Cold

x

x

Heights

x

Confined Spaces

x

x

Mechanical Hazards

x

x

Use of Vibrating Tools

x

x

Operates Vehicle (company)

x

x

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

x

x

Rotates All Shifts

x

x

x

x

x

On-Call

x

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

x

x

x

x

Respirator Protective Equipment

x

x

Eye Protection

x

x

x

Hearing Protection

x

Hand Protection

x

x

Feet, Toe Protection

x

Body Protection

x

x

Latex Exposure

x

x

Solvent Exposure

x

Paint (direct use) Exposure

x

Dust (sanding) Exposure

x

x

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

x

x

x

x

Mist Exposure

x

x

x

x

Laser Exposure

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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.