Nutrition Assistant - Full Time - Days/Evenings

CH_050 Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, Inc.; Hayts Corner (NY); On-site; USD 18,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Cayuga Health Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, Inc. is seeking a Nutrition Assistant to support safe, accurate, and person-centered meal service.

You will explain prescribed diets, help with menu choices, manage diet orders, and coordinate meal delivery with dietitians and kitchen staff. The role requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and at least 1 year of food service or nutrition-related experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 1 year of food service or nutrition-related experience.
• Ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Explain prescribed diets to patients and families in a clear, supportive, and patient-centered manner
• Assist patients with menu selection while ensuring compliance with dietary restrictions and allergen requirements
• Enter, update, and manage diet orders using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
• Utilize the Food Service Management system daily to support meal service operations
• Collaborate with dietitians, production staff, and Nutrition & Dining team members to ensure accurate meal delivery
• Promote patient and family satisfaction through direct interaction and service excellence
• Adhere to departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Support a safe, clean, and organized food service environment
• Communicate effectively and contribute to a collaborative, team-based work environment

Skills

Patient interaction

Dietary education

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

EHR system

Food Service Management system

Job description

About Cayuga Health Cayuga Health offers patient-centered, comprehensive health services at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca; Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls; and more than 40 medical offices in the Finger Lakes and Central New York. Cayuga Health employs more than 450 providers from 40+ specialties. Additional services include a neo-natal intensive care unit, a home health care agency, an addiction recovery organization, and a skilled nursing facility. Cayuga Health is a member of Centralus Health, a community-based integrated delivery system. Our mission is to deliver high-quality care, empower our teams to succeed, and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve. Our commitment to quality personalized care begins with our exceptional team—over 6500 employees strong. At Cayuga Health, you will work in a collaborative environment that values excellence, integrity, compassion and stewardship. Together, we create an environment where empathy, honesty and a dedication to quality thrive, empowering us to make a positive impact on the lives we touch. We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow and thrive. Whether you are just starting your career or taking the next step in healthcare, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of care in our communities. Learn more at www.cayugahealth.org.

Role Summary

The Nutrition Assistant interacts directly with patients to support safe, accurate, and person-centered meal service. This role explains prescribed diets, assists with menu selection, manages diet orders, and coordinates meal delivery while collaborating closely with dietitians and food production staff to meet patients' nutritional needs and dietary restrictions.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Explain prescribed diets to patients and families in a clear, supportive, and patient-centered manner
• Assist patients with menu selection while ensuring compliance with dietary restrictions and allergen requirements
• Enter, update, and manage diet orders using the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
• Utilize the Food Service Management system daily to support meal service operations
• Collaborate with dietitians, production staff, and Nutrition & Dining team members to ensure accurate meal delivery
• Promote patient and family satisfaction through direct interaction and service excellence
• Adhere to departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Support a safe, clean, and organized food service environment
• Communicate effectively and contribute to a collaborative, team-based work environment

Required Skills and Experience

High School Diploma or equivalent required

Minimum of 1 year of food service or nutrition-related experience

Ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams

Preferred Skills and Experience

Previous experience working in a healthcare or hospital environment

Preferred skills are not required to be considered for this role.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Standing for extended periods of time
• Lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds
• Reaching, bending, and repetitive motions
• Working in environments with exposure to heat, cold, loud noise, wet or slippery surfaces, and sharp objects

Location, Travel and Shift Requirements

• Location: Onsite at Cayuga Medical Center- 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Shift: Full Time, Days and Evenings
• Periodic travel to other Cayuga Health campuses may be required

Pay Range Disclosure

Standard rate of $17.00 - 21.00 per hour

Equal Employment Opportunity

Centralus and its affiliates are committed to treating all patients, providers, staff and volunteers equitably and with dignity, ensuring the highest levels of safety, care and respect, and striving to recognize and overcome biases and policies that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, equitable care and positive health outcomes for all. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, supporting the growth and health of our employees and community by embracing the rich diversity, needs and circumstances of all peoples and prioritizing opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable protected characteristics.

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Centralus Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

We're excited you're considering joining our team. At Centralus Health, we foster a culture of care, trust, and belonging. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to grow and thrive in your career while making meaningful connections with patients, families, colleagues, and communities.