Food Services Aide Associate

Ukkingsdaughters; Ashland, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

UK King’s Daughters is seeking a patient-focused food service associate to deliver meals and support the room service program. You will coordinate with the food service department to ensure timely ordering and delivery while upholding patient dignity and safety.

The role includes preparing and serving meals, assembling trays, and assisting patients with selections. Prior healthcare food service experience is helpful; HS diploma required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required or demonstrated related experience.
• Prior experience in healthcare or clinical food service preferred but not required.
• Must maintain professional, compassionate patient-focused service.

Responsibilities

• Deliver meals to patients, guests, and staff with accuracy to diet orders.
• Prepare, portion, and serve meals following written instructions and diet needs.
• Assemble, deliver, and collect patient meal trays with correct identifiers.
• Process menus, update dietary information, and assist with meal choices.
• Maintain sanitation of dishes, tables, work areas and equipment.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cash registers

Dishwashing equipment

Food service equipment

Job description

At UK King's Daughters, we’re not just a healthcare facility — we’re a family of dedicated professionals who share a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients. We’re more than just a place to work; we’re a place to grow, thrive, and contribute to our community.

Job Summary

Responsible for delivering exceptional customer service by serving food to patients, guests, and staff. Ensures timely ordering and delivery of meals by coordinating with the food service department. Orients patients to the room service program and supports their understanding of available options. Maintains professionalism and demonstrates compassion to uphold patient dignity, safety, and satisfaction.

Essential Functions

• Cleans and sanitizes dishes, utensils, trays, tables, work areas, and equipment according to food safety standards.
• Prepares, portions, and serves food for patients, cafeteria customers, catered events, and Meals on Wheels clients following written instructions and diet requirements.
• Assembles, delivers, and collects patient meal trays, ensuring accuracy with diet orders and patient identifiers.
• Processes menus and diet orders, reviews and updates patient dietary information, and assists patients with menu selections.
• Stocks, organizes, and rotates food, supplies, and equipment in work units, refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas.
• Operates and maintains dish room equipment, food preparation equipment, and cash registers, following safety and sanitation procedures.
• Provides customer service by greeting and serving customers, fulfilling cashier duties, and responding to special requests in a friendly, professional manner.
• Prepares reports and maintains records related to cash transactions, inventory, and meal census.
• Adheres to accepted food service sanitation and safety procedures, including proper handling of hazardous chemicals and use of protective equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

High school diploma or equivalent experience

Experience Requirement

0-2 years of experience in a healthcare, clinical setting, or a relevant area. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. All experience must be paid and in the same related field. Part-time and PRN experience will be prorated based on hours worked per week. Volunteer work and internships for academic credit are not counted.

Certifications & Licensures

N/A

Working Conditions

• A. Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects up to 50lbs: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• B. Lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects over 50lbs: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• C. Standing or walking with objects up to 10lbs: 4. Regular (> 50% of the time)
• D. Standing or walking with objects up to 25lbs: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• E. Sitting at computer workstation for extended periods: 1. Never
• F. Risk of back injury from moving, lifting or positioning patients, equipment, or materials: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• G. Repetitive motion: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• H. Working at heights above 4 feet: 1. Never
• I. Working in confined spaces: 1. Never
• J. Risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• K. Job-related travel: 1. Never
• L. Loud noises: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• M. Temperature extremes: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• N. Hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• O. Radiation: 1. Never
• P. Burns: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• Q. Cuts/Punctures: 3. Intermittent (10% - 50% of the time)
• R. Bloodborne/airborne pathogens: 2. Occasional (< 10% of the time)
• S. Recombinant DNA or viral vectors: 1. Never
• T. Combative/violent people: 1. Never
• U. Animal handling (including carcasses): 1. Never
• V. Please specify other(s) and amount of exposure (i.e. Occasional, Intermittent or Regular): N/A

Physical Demands

This position requires regular standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10 pounds; intermittent standing or walking with objects up to 25 pounds; intermittent lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds; occasional lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects over 50 pounds; and performing tasks with intermittent repetitive motions (such as food preparation or cleaning). Also involves occasional risk of back injury from moving or lifting equipment or materials; intermittent risk of injuries from use of equipment on the job; occasional exposure to loud noises, hazardous chemicals and fumes including waste, burns, and bloodborne or airborne pathogens; intermittent exposure to temperature extremes and cuts/punctures.

Additional Job Descriptions

N/A

Department

Food Services Shift: Flex (United States of America) Time Type: Full time Address: 2201 Lexington Avenue City, State: Ashland, Kentucky

Our growth is creating opportunities! Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it!

Our Work Experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, it's our people. Our employees are self-disciplined, hard working, curious, trustworthy, humble, and truthful.