Nutrition Attendant - Per Diem

Centralus Health; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Cayuga Health in Ithaca seeks a Nutrition Attendant to support patient care by assembling and delivering meals, maintaining sanitation, and assisting with food service across hospital units and retail dining areas. No prior experience required; paid training and certification opportunities are provided.

The role emphasizes allergen awareness and portion control. You will work with a collaborative team to ensure safe, high-quality, person-centered service while adhering to all local, state, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or appropriate working papers (for minors).
• Ability to follow food safety procedures in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and participate in on-the-job training.

Responsibilities

• Assemble and deliver patient meals with proper portions and allergen awareness.
• Wash and sanitize dishes and equipment per safety standards.
• Interact with patients and families to support satisfaction and service.
• Deliver nutrition supplies to hospital units as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized work environment during service periods.
• Follow departmental policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support retail food service, including prep, service, cash handling when assigned.
• Assist with catering and special events as needed.
• Communicate effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Be flexible and assist with other duties as needed.

Skills

Food safety

Fast-paced work

Willingness to learn

On-the-job training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Nutrition or related field

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.

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 Attendant supports patient care by assembling and delivering meals, maintaining sanitation standards, and assisting with food service operations across hospital units and retail dining areas. This role works collaboratively to provide safe, high-quality, and person-centered food service while meeting all local, state, and federal regulatory requirements. No prior experience is required-paid training and certification opportunities are provided.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Assemble and deliver patient meals using proper portion control and allergen awareness
• Wash and sanitize dishes, utensils, and equipment using industrial dish machines in accordance with safety standards
• Interact directly with patients and families to support satisfaction and person-centered service
• Manage, collect, and deliver nutrition supplies to hospital units as needed
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment throughout service periods
• Adhere to departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Support retail food service operations, including food preparation, service, and cash handling when assigned
• Assist with catering functions and special events as needed
• Communicate effectively and contribute to a collaborative, team-based work environment
• Demonstrate flexibility by assisting with other related duties as operational needs require

Required Skills And Experience

• High School Diploma, GED, or appropriate working papers (for minors)
• Ability to follow food safety procedures and work in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to learn and participate in on-the-job training

Preferred Skills And Experience

No prior food service or healthcare experience is required.

• One year of food service or nutrition experience, preferably in a healthcare setting
• Associate degree in Nutrition, Hospitality, or a healthcare-related field

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

Physical Requirements

• 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: Per Diem - As Scheduled
• Periodic travel to other Cayuga Health campuses may be required

Pay Range Disclosure

Standard rate of $17.00 - $22.10 per hour

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].