Nutrition Assistant II

St-Josephs-Medical-Center; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Dignity Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA is seeking a Nutrition Assistant II to support patients, guests, and staff with nutritious meals and therapeutic dietary compliance.

You will work behind the scenes and with patients to ensure accurate meal preparation, safe handling, and appealing presentation. Responsibilities include following dietary orders, educating patients on diets, collecting preferences, coordinating with kitchen, and maintaining food safety and cleanliness.

Qualifications

• One (1) year food service experience.
• High School Graduate or GED.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and serves food within dietary guidelines and presents meals attractively.
• Follows therapeutic diet modifications and allergy restrictions.
• Educates patients on dietary needs and explains diet orders.
• Collects patient food preferences and coordinates with kitchen for menu planning.
• Maintains food safety standards and cleans work areas.

Skills

Food service

Patient interaction

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Nutrition Assistant II, you will help our patients, guests, and staff receive optimal nutritional care and enjoy great meal experiences, ensuring therapeutic meal compliance so they can recover, feel comfortable, and maintain their well-being with delicious, appropriate meals.

Every day you will work behind the scenes and directly with patients to deliver high-quality food service, focusing on precision and care. You will be expected to prepare and serve meals according to dietary requirements, manage food safety standards, educate patients on their therapeutic diets, process food preferences, and operate diet office software, ensuring every meal meets both health standards and a high standard of presentation.

To be successful in this role you must have at least one (1) year of foodservice experience, a high school diploma or GED, a strong ability to follow detailed instructions and regulations, excellent communication skills (especially when interacting with patients about their dietary needs), and a dedication to ensuring patient satisfaction and nutritional compliance.

• Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu and 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. Provides service recovery efforts and escalates to leadership as needed.
• May be responsible for one or more of the following: Following therapeutic diet modifications and guidelines including allergy restrictions for all patient meal trays, nourishment, snacks and supplements
• Explaining basic therapeutic diet orders and menus and responding to questions from patients and family members. Escalating additional patient nutrition questions or needs to appropriate clinical support team members.
• Collecting patient food preferences and ensuring compliance with prescribed diet orders. Distributing food preferences to kitchen for menu planning in a timely manner.
• Performing general cleaning of equipment and work areas (e.g., cleaning the tray line, equipment, coolers, office area, and emptying trash cans, etc.)

Job Requirements

Required

• One (1) year food service experience
• High School Graduate or GED
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Where You'll Work

Founded in 1899, Dignity Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center is a 355-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Stockton, California. Serving over 125,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level III NICU, cancer care, heart care, and a family birth center. Additionally, St. Joseph’s Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center and was named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades in 2026.

One Community. One Mission. One California