DIET CLERK

About the role

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, part of Covenant Health, is a trusted regional hospital serving East Tennessee with advanced care and a personal touch. With more than 30 specialties, including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and vascular care, the facility offers innovative treatments for complex conditions like aneurysms, joint damage, heart failure, and chronic wounds. Backed by a team of over 1,000 healthcare professionals and 250 physicians, Methodist Medical Center combines state-of-the-art technology with compassionate care, earning national recognition for patient safety and excellence in stroke and heart care. Our facilities offer patients all the benefits of medical expertise and innovation while still embodying the convenience of a hometown medical center that is close to the support of family and friends.

Job Objective: To serve as the primary point of communication between patients, nursing staff, and others and the Food Services department; and to accurately process meal requests as ordered, ensuring the patient’s special diet needs are met.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals in response to new diets, diet changes, tube feedings, or supplements for patient trays accurately.
• Refer meal requests and questions to the clinical dietitians when unable to process or answer accurately.
• Visit patients in their room or answer telephone appropriately utilizing the department’s written format for taking patient meal orders, and utilizing customer service skills as established by MMC.
• Perform all clerical tasks correctly and attentively.
• Collect and maintain food preferences for patients and place meal orders; contact patients who have not placed meal orders.
• Prepare nourishments and supplements.
• Generate reports as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned (non‑essential functions).
• Ensure health and safety competence: do not pose a direct threat to health or safety of self or others; provide safe, efficient, competent care; demonstrate competency of the functions described in the performance continuum and skills list.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with coursework in English, mathematics, and grammar.
• Ability to read with comprehension, write legibly, and perform simple arithmetic calculations.
• Familiarity with general office practices (accurate filing, effective office machine usage) and excellent telephone skills.
• Capable of performing repetitive clerical tasks on a continuous basis.
• Good judgment and reliability; able to work without direct supervision.
• Minimum of six months’ experience in a clerical position preferred.
• No licensure or certification required.