Patient-Centric Hospital Food Service Specialist

Riverside Health; Saluda (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Health System in Saluda, VA is hiring a Food Service Associate to prepare and serve foods to patients and staff. You will follow recipes, ensure proper portions, and support safe food handling and sanitation guidelines.

You will assemble patient trays according to diet orders, communicate with care teams, and help maintain a clean, organized kitchen environment while providing compassionate service.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (Preferred).
• 1 year of prior food service experience, preferably in a healthcare facility.
• Allergen Awareness Certification - VA State - ANSI-approved within 180 Days (Required).
• Food Handlers Card (FH) - VA State - ANSI-approved within 30 Days(Required) or
• Food Protection Manager - VA State - ANSI approved Food Protection Manager Certification - VA State (Required).

Responsibilities

• Completes food preparation following recipes/techniques as designated on production worksheets and in compliance with regulatory guidelines and Food & Nutrition Services policy/procedures. Demonstrates the competence to complete prep work, including but not limited to slicing lunch meat, chopping fruits & vegetables, preparing salads and sandwiches. Completes meal service ensuring proper portion control and plate presentation.
• Demonstrates the ability to follow therapeutic menus to ensure patients receive consistent, competent, and quality nutritional care within their diet therapy guidelines and as ordered by the physician. Accurately assembles patient tray based on the patient/resident specific tray ticket or tray card (as applicable), ensuring accuracy to diet order and allergy restrictions.
• Maintains a working knowledge of food safety, infection control, and sanitation regulatory compliance requirements and Food & Nutrition Service policy/procedures. Consistently complies with temperature, quality, sanitation & storage at all key steps in the food production process. Actively uses the FIFO (First-in/First-out) system to ensure that food items that are already in stock are used first to control food waste. Labels & dates all product according to policy and alerts management of any discrepancies to the norm.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations with patients and patient families so that patients and their families perceive positive patient care from the hospital. Demonstrates positive communication with internal customers (physicians, team members, etc.). Demonstrates flexibility and reliability when meeting the needs of the customer.
• Demonstrates the ability to use time effectively and during periods of heavy workload, is able to aid other workers in the completion of their work. Ensures completion of all assigned cleaning tasks, as noted in job work flows and posted assignment sheets, prior to end of shift. Alerts supervisor/manager when unable to complete tasks as assigned

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Riverside Health System in Saluda, VA is hiring a Food Service Associate to prepare and serve foods to patients and staff. You will follow recipes, ensure proper portions, and support safe food handling and sanitation guidelines.

You will assemble patient trays according to diet orders, communicate with care teams, and help maintain a clean, organized kitchen environment while providing compassionate service.