Nutritional Services Associate

Salem Health; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Salem Health is seeking a Nutrition Services Associate at Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon. You will deliver meals, assist with the menu, and support food safety while collaborating with nurses and kitchen staff to meet patient dietary needs. The role is per diem, non-exempt, with shifts during business hours.

This position emphasizes patient-facing service, teamwork, and reliability in a fast-paced environment, with opportunities to contribute to process improvements and patient satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Certified Food Handlers card due within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to operate a computer and navigate standard software.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment with multiple demands.
• Adhere to proper food handling techniques.
• Willingness to work in other areas or on other projects as needed.

Responsibilities

• Deliver meals following standard procedures with patient safety and hygiene.
• Assist patients with the room service menu and dietary restrictions.
• Communicate clearly with patients, families, and coworkers to improve patient experience.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff, clinicians, nurses, and call center teams to meet dietary needs.
• Perform walking-intensive meal delivery and supply runs.
• Assist in kitchen tasks between delivery times to support operations.
• Support training and orientation of new team members and suggest process improvements.

Skills

Computer literacy

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Multitasking

Food safety

Job description

Location Site:Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department:Nutrition Services
Position Type:Unscheduled / Per Diem, Non-Exempt
Schedule:Shifts as neededduring business hours of 7:45 am - 8:15 pm

Your role with us

As a nutritional services associate, you play a vital role in ensuring patients receive safe, timely, and nourishing meals that support their recovery and well-being. In this fast-paced, collaborative environment, you’ll be the friendly face patients see during meal delivery, the attentive ear helping them navigate menu choices, and the organized professional maintaining food safety and inventory standards. Your ability to communicate clearly, follow procedures, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team will directly impact the patient experience and overall care quality.

What you'll do

• Deliver meals using standard procedures, ensuring patient safety through proper hygiene and identification practices.
• Assist patients and visitors with understanding and using the room service menu, ensuring selections align with dietary restrictions.
• Communicate clearly and positively with patients, families, and coworkers to enhance the overall patient experience.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff, clinical nutritionists, nurses, and call center teams to meet patient food and beverage needs.
• Expect a physically active role that includes a lot of walking throughout the facility during meal delivery and supply runs.
• Assist in the kitchen as needed between meal delivery times, supporting food prep, tray assembly, and other tasks to keep operations running smoothly.
• Support the training and orientation of new team members and contribute ideas for improving processes and patient satisfaction.

Required qualifications

• Certified Food Handlers card due within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to effectively operate a computer and navigate standard software applications.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
• Must have the ability to work efficiently and responsibly in an environment with multiple work demands and short time frames.
• Able adhere to proper food handling techniques.
• Willingness to work in other areas or on other projects as needed.

Why Salem Health?

Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.

We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/orto receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].