PATIENT DINING ASSOCIATE (DIETARY AIDE) (FULL TIME AND PART TIME)

Location: Ballad Health – Smyth County – 245 Medical Park Drive, Marion, VA 24354.

Schedule

• Full‑time and part‑time schedules; 12‑hour shifts
• Shift time: 6:00 am – 6:30 pm (days may vary)
• Rotating weekends and holidays

Pay

Fixed Pay Rate: $14.25 per hour

About the role

Patient Dining Associates work on assigned units in a healthcare facility, providing services that include helping patients make menu selections, assembling, delivering, and picking up their meal trays. They are part of the caregiving team, responsible for patient safety and satisfaction by ensuring meals are accurate and delivered at the right time and temperature.

Responsibilities

• Help patients understand their menu selections and work with nursing to ensure orders comply with nutritional requirements or restrictions.
• Collaborate with caregivers and the culinary team to determine menu alternatives for patients with food allergies, sensitivities, cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences, or additional selections.
• Manage tray tickets and assemble meals according to each patient’s menu selection in a timely and accurate manner.
• Retrieve trays from patient rooms at assigned times.
• Comply with regulator agency standards, including federal, state, and JCAHO requirements.
• Adhere to facility confidentiality and patient‑rights policies as outlined in HIPAA procedures.
• Follow Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines when handling food, cleaning work stations, and breaking down the patient tray line.
• Follow facility and department infection control policies and procedures.
• Assist dietitians, such as helping monitor patients who cannot eat through their mouth, are on liquid diets, or have specific calorie counts.
• Communicate problems or concerns with patients to appropriate personnel promptly, following department procedures.
• Complete all daily, weekly, or monthly reports as outlined in Morrison Healthcare policies and procedures.
• Comply with federal, state, and local health and sanitation regulations, as well as department sanitation procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous food service experience required.
• Ability to read, write, and interpret documents in English.
• Basic computer and mathematical skills.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds and maneuver/push food delivery carts.
• Ability to meet background‑check and drug‑screening requirements (nicotine testing not required).

Benefits

• Retirement Plan
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Legal Services
• Choice Auto and Home Program
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance/AD, and Disability Insurance (full‑time only)
• Commuter Benefits (full‑time only)
• Employee Assistance Program (full‑time only)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) (full‑time only)
• Paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws
• Opportunity for growth