Nutrition Assistant I

Penn State Health; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is seeking a Nutrition Assistant to support high-quality food services for patients and staff. You will prepare and deliver meal trays, assist with food prep, maintain cleanliness, and ensure food safety compliance while engaging with patients about dietary needs.

Attention to detail, food safety knowledge, and excellent customer service are essential to contribute to a positive dining experience in our healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• 1 year of food service or customer service experience.
• WA Food Handler Permit within 30 days.
• Preferred: High School Diploma or GED.

Responsibilities

• Follows standards and guidelines for food safety, temperature control during cooking, holding and storage.
• Prepares and serves food according to menus and dietary needs using appropriate utensils and equipment.
• Maintains cleanliness and proper labeling of food products and equipment per regulations.
• May assist with cashiering, serving in retail area, assembling and delivering patient trays, and catering support.

Skills

Food service experience

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma

GED

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Nutrition Assistant, you will assist in delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient food services to patients and staff.

Every day you will prepare and deliver meal trays, assist with food preparation, maintain cleanliness, ensure food safety compliance, and interact with patients regarding dietary needs.

To be successful, you will demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, strong food safety knowledge, and excellent customer service, contributing to a positive dining experience.

• Follows healthcare foodservice industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Avoids cross-contamination of foods and adheres to personal hygiene requirements. Maintains proper labeling of food products and ensures storage of food equipment, and machinery per regulations & facility guidelines.
• Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu & dietary requirements using required kitchen utensils and equipment. Maintains knowledge of recipe ingredients to respond to food allergy questions or requests.
• Follows organizational standards and guidelines for a high quality patient and customer experience. Ensures proper meal portioning and an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
• May be responsible for one or more of the following: Cashiering, Serving in the retail area, Assembling, delivering and retrieving patient trays, Performing cold food prep, Performing utility assignments (e.g., dishwashing, washing pots & pans, maintaining equipment), Performing catering functions and or delivering/picking up catered food, Supporting inventory maintenance duties, Performing general cleaning of equipment and work areas (e.g., mopping, sweeping, emptying trash cans, etc.)

Job Requirements

Required

• One (1) year of Food Service or Customer Service Experience and
• Food Handler Permit: WA, within 30 Days

Preferred

• High School Graduate General Studies, upon hire or
• High School GED General Studies, upon hire and
• Cashier experience

Where You'll Work

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area. Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person - body, mind, and spirit - in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth. Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care. We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.