Catering Associate

About the Role

Performs activities supporting preparation and service of food, delivery and collection of food and supplies, operation of machinery, and department sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Stocks workstations and mobile carts with service ware, condiments, and perishable and non-perishable food items prior to each meal service period.
• Cleans and replenishes carafes for hot beverage service for each meal service period.
• Rotates and checks expiration dates of all food items according to department policies and procedures.
• Identifies patients by name and date of birth at each interaction per hospital and regulatory guidelines.
• Distributes printed menu and diet information cards to patients prior to first meal service.
• Assists patients with menu selections. Communicates if requested items are inconsistent with diet order and makes recommendations for appropriate alternatives.
• Obtains patient menu selections, assesses, and modifies selections for therapeutic appropriateness per Nutrition Care Order, as needed.
• Communicates with nursing staff to identify any changes in Nutrition Care Order prior to meal service period. Reports any concerns regarding patient meal service to appropriate clinical staff.
• Tallies hot and cold food items and communicates needs to production staff within established timeframe prior to scheduled assembly.
• Assembles trays in designated area according to daily assignment sheet, Nutrition Care Order, and patient menu selections.
• Performs catering rounds after delivering meal trays at each meal service.
• Distributes and collects patient trays. Delivers late trays or rush trays to units, as needed.
• Notifies management of any issues during meal service including shortages, unacceptable quality, and substitutions.
• Informs Dietitian of any patient-related issues including poor food intake, diet order discrepancies, and food allergy concerns.
• Cleans pantry according to established guidelines. Follows proper procedures for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment and surfaces.
• Ensures proper storage of all food items, with proper labeling and dating. Discards expired products.
• Removes waste from plates and service ware. Stacks washable items for dishwasher and operates dishwasher according to department guidelines.
• Delivers clean service ware to designated areas.
• Delivers floor stock and nourishments to patient floors. Completes floor stock/nourishment record forms for each unit daily. Delivers snacks directly to patients at designated times.
• Returns census/diet list, snack list, floor stock record forms, and supplement lists to designated location.
• Collects and returns all food, condiment, and mobile food carts to kitchen after each meal service period.
• Maintains a safe and sanitary environment by cleaning up spills and using appropriate safety signage. Immediately notifies management of any unsafe conditions.
• Cleans and sanitizes mobile food trucks, workstations, counters/shelves, refrigerators, wire racks, etc., and uses cleaning chemicals according to established policies and procedures. Notifies management of any chemicals not properly labeled.
• Answers department telephone in a professional and courteous manner.
• Records telephone requests in appropriate log and processes requests for meal trays, special request items, and/or Nutrition Care Order changes. Delivers items within established timeframe.
• Generates and files reports, as assigned.
• Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• Prior related food and/or dietary work experience, preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbally and in writing).

ADA Essential Functions

• Walking, standing, bending, pushing, and pulling of trucks.
• Lifting of supplies 20 lbs or less.