Nutrition Assistant - Dietary - Per Diem 8 Hour Rotating (Non-Exempt) (Union)

University of Southern California; California; On-site; USD 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Keck Hospital of USC is seeking a Nutrition Assistant (Union) to provide nutritional care by assisting in menu selection, delivering patient meals, and processing orders via a laptop-based system. You will communicate with nursing and dietitians, round on patients, and support allergy and safety training as required.

The role emphasizes direct patient contact, accurate documentation, and collaboration with supervisors to improve processes and patient satisfaction.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• If no diploma, minimum 1 year of experience may substitute education.
• Display exceptional customer service behavior.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication.
• Basic computer/laptop experience; ability to use a computer.

Responsibilities

• Visits 80% of patients to obtain meal orders; calls patients when unable to visit (max 20%).
• Uses Health Touch program for all meal and snack orders.
• Identifies and delivers tube feeding and unit pantry nourishments.
• Serves as liaison between Nursing, Clinical Dietitians and Food & Nutrition Services.
• Prints Census Report with patient details before each meal and reviews for accuracy.
• Conducts meal rounds as assigned; notes revisit timing and reason.

Skills

Customer service

English communication

Computer literacy

Bilingual (preferred)

Fire Life Safety training (LA City)

Education

High school or equivalent

GED or equivalent (if no diploma)

Tools

Fire Life Safety Training

Job description

Nutrition Assistant (Union)

Job Summary

The Nutrition Assistant is responsible for providing nutritional care to patients by spending quality patient time assisting in menu selection by utilizing a laptop meal ordering program, providing patient meal delivery and patient set-up with direct patient contact, receiving and processing phone orders as required, and identifying patients who have not ordered meals with the assistance of the tray tracking system. The Patient Ambassador may make meal rounds and collect survey information. They will update the food preference and nourishment information and relay pertinent information to their Supervisor/Manager or the Clinical Dietitian. The general responsibilities of the position include those listed below, but Keck Medicine of USC may identify other responsibilities of the position. These responsibilities may differ among accounts, depending on business necessities and client requirements.

Departmental Specific Summary

Essential Duties

• Introduces Expressly for You Room Service and explains diet order to new admissions.
• Visits 80% of patients to obtain meal orders. Calls patients when unable to visit; should be no more than 20% of assigned patients.
• Effectively and efficiently utilizes the Health Touch program for all meal and snack orders.
• Identifies, documents and delivers required tube feeding and unit pantry nourishments.
• Acts as liaison between Nursing, Clinical Dietitians and Food & Nutrition Services.
• Prints Census Report with patient name, room, diet and admission date prior to each meal.
• Reviews report for accuracy or changes.
• Visits all patients daily.
• Introduces self as the unit's Nutrition Assistant and provides contact number.
• Explains times patient may receive meals.
• Explains, if needed, the availability of large print and Spanish menu.
• Documents, resolves or refers any complaints/concerns the patient and/or family members may have.
• Conducts meal rounds as assigned by Supervisor/Manager.
• Notes when patient will be revisited if needed and why.
• Works with managers/supervisors in Process Improvement projects.
• Works with patient promotions as necessary.
• Fills in as needed in diet office and kitchen.
• Attends all allergy and foodborne illness in-service training.
• Complies with all Keck Medicine of USC policies and procedures.
• Complies with all company safety and risk management policies and procedures.
• Participates in regular safety meetings, safety training and hazard assessments.
• Reports all accidents and injuries in a timely manner.
• Attends training programs (classroom and virtual) as designated.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Req High school or equivalent
• If no High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent, a minimum of 1 year of experience is required as a substitution of education.
• Req 1 year If no High School Diploma, GED or Equivalent, a minimum of 1 year of experience is required as a substitution of education.
• Req Demonstrate excellent customer service behavior.
• Req Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Req Basic computer/laptop experience; able to use a computer.
• Pref Bilingual
• Req Fire Life Safety Training (LA City) If no card upon hire, one must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained by renewal before expiration date. (Required within LA City only)

Keck Hospital of USC, a 343-bed acute care hospital, provides exceptional and innovative care for complex medical and surgical conditions across a wide range of specialties. The hospital's world-renowned physicians deliver compassionate, customized, patient-centered care and treat the most acutely ill patients with highly innovative techniques and treatment plans. As a leading academic medical center, hundreds of clinical trials are currently taking place at Keck Hospital and its affiliated research institutions, giving patients access to novel and promising therapies that are generally not available elsewhere. Every day at Keck Hospital, physicians, nurses and staff go beyond the science of exceptional medicine to bring patients breakthroughs in the art of caring. Join this world-class team providing highly specialized care, up-to-the-minute research, and innovative clinical trials.

The hourly rate range for this position is $22.88 - 38.90 USD. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected