Food Service Associate (Labor Pool)

Riverside Health System; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Health System in Smithfield, VA, is hiring a Food Services Associate to prepare and serve meals to patients, visitors, and staff. You will follow recipes, portions, and plate presentation while maintaining a safe, sanitary kitchen environment.

You will ensure meals meet diet orders and allergies, assemble patient trays accurately, and support colleagues during busy periods. A proactive, patient‑centered approach and adherence to food safety policies are essential for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• 1 year prior food service experience, preferably in a healthcare facility.

Responsibilities

• Prepare foods per recipes and production worksheets, ensure proper portions and plating.
• Assemble patient trays according to diet orders and allergies.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and storage per policy; follow FIFO and label/date items.
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with patients, families, and staff.
• Assist with cleaning tasks and notify supervisor if tasks cannot be completed.

Skills

Food prep

Food safety compliance

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Smithfield, Virginia

Hiring Range

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

Hours

Labor Pool (as needed)

Overview

The Food Services Associate is responsible for preparing and serving foods to patients, visitors and hospital team members. Will demonstrate knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards. Promotes and maintains safe work environment for staff as well as our customers.

What you will do

• Complete food preparation following recipes/techniques as designated on production worksheets and in compliance with regulatory guidelines and Food & Nutrition Services policy/procedures. Demonstrate the competence to complete prep work, including but not limited to slicing lunch meat, chopping fruits & vegetables, preparing salads and sandwiches. Complete meal service ensuring proper portion control and plate presentation.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow therapeutic menus to ensure patients receive consistent, competent, and quality nutritional care within their diet therapy guidelines and as ordered by the physician. Accurately assemble patient tray based on the patient/resident specific tray ticket or tray card (as applicable), ensuring accuracy to diet order and allergy restrictions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of food safety, infection control, and sanitation regulatory compliance requirements and Food & Nutrition Service policy/procedures. Consistently comply with temperature, quality, sanitation & storage at all key steps in the food production process. Actively use the FIFO (First-in/First-out) system to ensure that food items that are already in stock are used first to control food waste. Label & date all product according to policy and alerts management of any discrepancies to the norm.
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with patients and patient families so that patients and their families perceive positive patient care from the hospital. Demonstrate positive communication with internal customers (physicians, team members, etc.). Demonstrate flexibility and reliability when meeting the needs of the customer.
• Demonstrate the ability to use time effectively and during periods of heavy workload, is able to aid other workers in the completion of their work. Ensure completion of all assigned cleaning tasks, as noted in job work flows and posted assignment sheets, prior to end of shift. Alert supervisor/manager when unable to complete tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, (Preferred)

Experience

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

Licenses and Certifications

• Allergen Awareness Certification - VA State - ANSI-approved Allergen Awareness certificate program within 180 Days (Required)
• Food Handlers Card (FH) - VA State - ANSI-approved Food Handlers certificate program within 30 Days (Required) or
• Food Protection Manager - VA State - ANSI approved Food Protection Manager Certification - VA State (Required)

To learn more about being a team member with Riverside Health System visit us at https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.