Food Service Worker- Casual

Grande International Hospital; La Grande (OR); On-site; USD 24,300 - 34,453; Part time

Job summary

Grande International Hospital in La Grande, Oregon, seeks a part-time Food Service Worker to assist with meal preparation and service for patients and staff. This role emphasizes safe food handling and sanitation, working collaboratively within a kitchen team to deliver high-quality meals while adhering to dietary restrictions.

Ideal candidates will have a food handler certification, a high school diploma, and experience in food service settings. Compensation ranges from $17.64 to $25.01 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred.
• Food Handler Certification from an approved OHA source required.
• Experience in a healthcare, institutional, or large-volume food service setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, portioning, and serving of meals.
• Deliver meals to patient rooms while complying with dietary restrictions.
• Monitor food temperatures during preparation to ensure safety.
• Clean and sanitize work areas and kitchen equipment.
• Assist with inventory management and notify of shortages.

Skills

Safe food handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Food Handler Certification

Job description

Job Category: Non-Clinical Support Services

Requisition Number: FOODS002554

• Part-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Pay or shift range: $17.64 USD to $25.01 USD

The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

The Food Service Worker is responsible for assisting in the preparation, delivery, and service of meals to patients, staff, and visitors in accordance with hospital dietary policies and prescribed therapeutic diets. This role ensures that food is handled safely, served promptly, and presented in a clean and appealing manner. The Food Service Worker supports patient care and satisfaction by maintaining proper sanitation, adhering to food safety standards, and collaborating with dietary and clinical staff to meet operational needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred.
• Food Handler Certification from an approved OHA source required.
• Experience in a healthcare, institutional, or large-volume food service setting preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, portioning, and serving of meals according to established menus and dietary guidelines, including accommodating patient allergies and modified diets under supervision.
• Deliver meals to patient rooms, ensuring compliance with dietary restrictions and prescribed therapeutic diets. Collaborate with Cooks and Diet Clerks to meet meal schedules for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Meet the food and service needs of individual patients across all ethnicities, religions, cultures, and age groups, from pediatric to geriatric populations.
• Set up, clean, and maintain kitchen and dining areas throughout scheduled shifts; assist with special functions, catering orders, and bakery/dessert preparations as assigned.
• Assist with inventory management, including stocking, labeling, rotating, and storing food and supplies. Notify the Manager/Supervisor of shortages or needed supplies.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and properly, reporting malfunctions and maintenance needs promptly.
• Monitor food temperatures during preparation, holding, and service to ensure compliance with food safety guidelines.
• Follow safe food handling and storage procedures to maintain compliance with hospital, state, and federal infection control regulations; follow infection control protocols, including proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, work surfaces, storage areas, and equipment in accordance with hospital and health department standards, maintaining a clean and organized kitchen and dining environment.
• Participate in quality assurance and regulatory compliance activities, including maintaining temperature, sanitation, safety, and food waste logs, and contributing to departmental meetings/huddles. Report food safety or patient care concerns to the supervisor promptly.
• Enhance the overall patient and customer experience by preparing and presenting high-quality meals that meet dietary requirements, supporting timely meal service, and demonstrating courtesy and professionalism to patients, staff, and visitors.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, to meet patient care needs, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of safe food handling, storage and sanitation practices.
• Ability to manage time, including planning and organizing work to meet meal schedules and service demands.
• Ability to follow instructions and work effectively in a team environment with Cooks, Food Services Workers, Diet Clerks, and other clinical personnel.
• Ability to follow infection control protocols, including proper personal and hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Skilled in using commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Skilled in customer service, demonstrating courtesy, professionalism, and responsiveness to enhance the overall experience for patients, staff, and visitors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and handle food items, supplies, and equipment throughout the shift.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull 25–35 pounds routinely and up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Requires manual dexterity and the ability to operate kitchen equipment such as carts, slicers, warmers, and dish machines.
• Requires visual and auditory ability to safely perform food service duties, operate equipment, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to tolerate temperature changes when moving between kitchen, storage, and refrigerated areas.
• Work involves exposure to hot surfaces, steam, sharp utensils, cleaning chemicals, food allergens, and potential biohazards from returned patient trays (with required PPE).
• May experience moderate noise from equipment and meal-service activities.
• Occasional exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue, communicable diseases, chemicals, including but not limited to sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items. Employee eligible for Hepatitis B Vaccination if desired.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Compensation

$17.64-$25.01 DOE

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.