Food service associate

Riverside Health; Onancock (VA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 26,174; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Health in Onancock, VA is hiring a Food Services Associate to prepare and serve meals for patients, visitors, and staff. The role emphasizes strict adherence to food safety, sanitation standards, and safe handling practices in a hospital setting.

Your responsibilities include following recipes, portioning meals, assembling patient trays per diet orders, and maintaining high cleanliness and infection-control standards throughout the shift.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Strong commitment to safe work environment and hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Prepare foods following recipes and techniques for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Serve meals with correct portion sizes and proper presentation.
• Follow therapeutic menus and doctor orders for nutrition care.
• Assemble patient trays accurately per tray tickets and diet orders.
• Maintain food safety, infection control, and sanitation compliance.
• Use FIFO to control waste; label and date products; report discrepancies.
• Interact positively with patients, families, and internal customers.
• Work efficiently during busy periods and assist teammates as needed.
• Complete cleaning tasks before end of shift and notify supervisor if unable.

Skills

Food safety

Sanitation

Customer service

Portion control

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Hiring Range $15.00 - $19.50/Hourly. Actual pay is determined based on job‑related factors such as relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Location: Onancock, Virginia

Overview

The Food Services Associate is responsible for preparing and serving foods to patients, visitors, and hospital team members. Must demonstrate knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards and promote a safe work environment for staff and customers.

What You Will Do

• Complete food preparation following recipes and specified techniques, including slicing lunch meat, chopping fruits and vegetables, and preparing salads and sandwiches.
• Serve meals ensuring proper portion control and plate presentation.
• Follow therapeutic menus to provide consistent, competent nutritional care within diet therapy guidelines and physician orders.
• Accurately assemble patient trays based on specific tray tickets or cards, ensuring compliance with diet orders and allergy restrictions.
• Maintain knowledge of food safety, infection control, and sanitation regulatory compliance; consistently comply with temperature, quality, sanitation, and storage mandates.
• Use FIFO (First In, First Out) to control waste; label and date all product; report discrepancies.
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with patients, families, and internal customers (physicians, etc.).
• Use time effectively during periods of heavy workload and assist coworkers when needed.
• Complete mandatory cleaning tasks before end of shift; notify supervisor if unable to meet obligations.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED (Preferred).

Experience

• 1 year of food service experience, preferably in a healthcare facility (Preferred).

Licenses and Certifications

• Mandatory: Allergen Awareness Certification – VA State – within 180 days of hire.
• Mandatory: Food Handlers Card – VA State – within 30 days of hire.
• Mandatory: Food Protection Manager – VA State – mandatory certification.

Learn more about Riverside Health System by visiting https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.