Hospital Patient Meal Specialist (Dietary Needs)

Riverside Healthcare; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health benefits

Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employer-matched retirement plans

Educational Assistance Program

Job summary

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a Catering Associate to ensure exceptional patient meal service across units. You will coordinate patient menu selections, assemble and deliver trays, and address dietary needs while liaising with the Food & Nutrition Services and nursing staff to meet physician‑ordered diets.

Responsibilities include handling special requests, maintaining accurate patient meal data, and upholding infection control standards to support overall patient satisfaction and quality of

Qualifications

• Knowledge of dietary restrictions, infection control and sanitation best practices.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English; additional language skills may be beneficial.
• Ability to pass a written test on modified diets provided by clinical staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate patient meal service including menu selection, tray assembly, delivery and pick‑up on assigned units.
• Address and communicate patient food issues, concerns and requests to Food & Nutrition Services.
• Collaborate with nursing staff to ensure compliance with patients' nutritional needs and unit food service requirements.
• Respond to changes and special requests to maintain efficient timing and accuracy of meal services.
• Understand and accommodate dietary restrictions based on physician‑prescribed diets to ensure alignment with medical guidelines.
• Ensure patient satisfaction by offering alternatives within dietary limitations.
• Maintain up-to-date patient meal information on assigned units, ensuring accuracy for all meal services.
• Demonstrate knowledge of infection control and sanitation practices including temperatures, hand washing, gloves, and proper dating.
• Provide quality service respecting cultural, ethnic, and religious food preferences.

Skills

Dietary restrictions knowledge

Infection control

Sanitation best practices

English literacy (read/write/speak)

Written test on modified diets

Education

On-the-job training provided

Job description

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a Catering Associate to ensure exceptional patient meal service across units. You will coordinate patient menu selections, assemble and deliver trays, and address dietary needs while liaising with the Food & Nutrition Services and nursing staff to meet physician‑ordered diets.

Responsibilities include handling special requests, maintaining accurate patient meal data, and upholding infection control standards to support overall patient satisfaction and quality of