Food Service Associate (Labor Pool)

Riverside Smithfield Hospital; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Smithfield Hospital is seeking a Food Services Associate to prepare and serve meals for patients and staff. You will follow diet orders, manage portions, and ensure safety and sanitation throughout the kitchen.

Role emphasizes teamwork, adherence to FIFO, and maintaining high quality in food preparation and service within a healthcare setting. Allergen awareness and VA certifications are required or pursued within stated timelines.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is preferred.
• Allergen Awareness Certification or Food Protection Manager Certification (VA) within specified timelines.
• Food Handlers Card (VA) within 30 days if not already held.
• Prior food service experience in healthcare is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve foods to patients, visitors and staff following recipes and production worksheets.
• Adhere to food safety, sanitation standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Assemble patient trays based on diet orders and allergy restrictions.
• Maintain proper portion control, plate presentation and temperature controls.
• Use FIFO system to minimize waste and ensure freshness.
• Assist with cleaning tasks and communicate with team and supervisors.

Skills

Food safety

Sanitation

Food prep

Customer service

Communication

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Allergen Awareness Certification (VA)

Food Handlers Card (VA)

Food Protection Manager Certification (VA)

Job description

Smithfield, VirginiaHiring 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.Hours: Labor Pool (as needed)OverviewThe 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 doComplete 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 assignedQualificationsEducationHigh School Diploma or GED, (Preferred)Experience1 year Prior food service experience, preferably in a healthcare facility (Preferred)Licenses and CertificationsAllergen 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) orFood 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.