Food Service Worker - Room Service

UT MD Anderson; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage from day one

PTO and holidays

Tuition Assistance

Pension and retirement plans

Job summary

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, is seeking a Food Service Worker to support daily nutrition and dining operations. You will prepare, assemble, and deliver meals while upholding food safety and infection control standards in a fast-paced healthcare setting.

The role emphasizes teamwork, adherence to recipes, and compassionate patient service, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 6:00am to 2:30pm and rotating weekends/holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience in foodservice or patient care is required.
• Education should align with healthcare food service standards.
• Ability to follow standardized recipes and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Food Preparation, Meal Assembly, Delivery, and Transport.
• Follow sanitation guidelines and prepare items per recipes.
• Assist with tray assembly and portioning to meet nutrition standards.
• Serve food across stations with clean, organized work areas.
• Deliver patient trays and nourishment within established timeframes.
• Maintain required food temperatures and safety standards.
• Restock service areas and support efficient meal delivery workflows.
• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, tables, and work surfaces.
• Operate dishwashing equipment and manage waste per guidelines.

Skills

Food preparation

Sanitation

Customer service

Food safety

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Dishwashing machines

Three-compartment sinks

Job description

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The Food Service Worker supports daily nutrition and dining operations at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The Food Service Worker plays a vital role in food preparation, meal assembly, sanitation, and delivery processes that directly support patient care, visitors, and staff. This role requires close adherence to food safety, infection control, and customer service standards in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Food Service Worker contributes to MD Anderson Cancer Center's mission by ensuring safe, timely, and high-quality food service operations that promote patient well-being and operational excellence. The Food Service Worker works collaboratively with team members while maintaining compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate for the Food Service Worker role has experience in food preparation, has a fast-food restaurant experience preferably in the production / kitchen, sanitation, and customer service within a healthcare or high-volume food service setting, demonstrates knowledge of food safety and infection control practices, and maintains a strong commitment to professionalism, teamwork, and confidentiality. Education, experience, and certifications should align with food service operations and healthcare standards, with the ability to follow standardized recipes, safety procedures, and service expectations.

Shift

Work schedule: Monday - Friday | 6:00am - 2:30pm | Rotating weekends and holidays

Why Us?

The Food Service Worker role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient care by supporting safe, efficient, and compassionate food service operations at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This position supports professional growth through hands-on experience in a healthcare environment while promoting stability, collaboration, and work-life balance within a mission-driven organization.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Food Preparation, Meal Assembly, Delivery, and Transport

• Follow food sanitation guidelines to perform basic food preparation, including washing, cutting, chopping, dating, and labeling foods according to established recipes.
• Prepare salads, sandwiches, and grab-and-go items following standardized recipes and production sheets.
• Assist with tray assembly and portioning to meet nutrition standards, diet orders, and customer preferences.
• Serve food across multiple stations while maintaining portion control and a clean, sanitized work area.
• Deliver GetApp orders, patient trays, nourishments, and tube feedings within established time frames.
• Maintain required food temperatures and comply with time‑control safety standards.
• Restock service areas and support organized, efficient meal delivery workflows.

Cleaning, Sanitation, Infection Control, and Waste Management

• Clean and sanitize floors, walls, tables, chairs, and work surfaces to maintain sanitary environments.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and promptly clean spills.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and small wares following manufacturer guidelines.
• Safely handle, store, and use cleaning chemicals and equipment per policies and procedures.
• Operate dish and pot washing machines and set up three-compartment sinks and cleaning buckets per guidelines.
• Monitor and record parts per million levels and equipment temperatures.
• Collect, dispose of, and manage trash and waste, including compactors, to maintain cleanliness and safety.

Inventory, Supplies, and Operational Support

• Check, replenish, and maintain food, paper goods, utensils, and other supplies.
• Ensure soap, sanitizers, and paper towels are stocked at hand sinks and sanitizing stations.
• Maintain records of food items received, prepared, and leftover.
• Monitor and document food temperatures at required intervals.
• Assist team members to support adequate supplies and smooth production flow.

Customer Service and Communication

• Provide friendly, respectful, and solution-focused service to patients and customers.
• Model MD Anderson Core Values and Standards of Conduct in all interactions.
• Utilize the HEAL framework to address service concerns and restore trust.
• Report customer, patient, colleague, or safety concerns in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient and customer information.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned, including working different shifts or locations.

EDUCATION

Preferred: High School Diploma or Equivalent Preferred

Work Experience

Required:1 year Experience in foodservice, or in patient care, or in customer service, or in a hospitality environment.

Preferred: 1 year Experience in Restaurant or Hotel or Environmental Services. Preferred

Successful completion of the MD Anderson apprenticeship program or 9 months completion of the program can be substituted for a maximum of 1 year of experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required: Food Handlers Card within 30 Days

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 183433
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 37,450
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 42,725
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 48,000
• FLSA: non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: No
• Referral Bonus Available?: No
• Relocation Assistance Available?: No