Patient Dining Associate

We believe a career is more than just a career — it's a calling. Our teammates' "True North" is what calls them to health care; it’s their passion. At North Mississippi Health Services, we believe in helping you leverage and connect that passion with a much greater purpose that impacts people you know and love. Job Description JOB SUMMARY The Patient Dining Associate is responsible for providing exceptional meal service and nutritional support to patients while ensuring compliance with physician diet orders, food safety standards, and departmental procedures. This position serves as a key liaison between patients, Nursing, Clinical Nutrition, and Food & Nutrition Services to promote a positive patient experience and support nutritional care plans. The Patient Dining Associate coordinates meal selection and delivery, assists patients with menu choices, maintains nourishment inventories, and ensures accurate, timely meal service. The role requires strong customer service, communication, organizational, and teamwork skills in a fast-paced healthcare environment. JOB FUNCTIONS Patient Meal Service Reviews patient meal trays for accuracy and compliance with prescribed diet orders prior to service. Assists with meal assembly, beverage service, and meal cart preparation to ensure timely delivery. Delivers and retrieves patient and guest meal trays while maintaining service and food safety standards. Assists patients with menu selections and provides guidance regarding available meal options within prescribed dietary restrictions. Obtains and processes patient meal selections accurately and within established timeframes. Responds promptly and professionally to patient meal requests, concerns, and service recovery opportunities. Nutritional Support Assembles, delivers, and documents nutritional supplements, snacks, nourishments, and enteral feeding products as assigned. Maintains floor stock nourishments and replenishes nursing unit inventories according to established procedures. Collaborates with Clinical Dietitians, Diet Office personnel, Nursing, and Food & Nutrition Services staff to support patient nutritional needs and diet modifications. Customer Service & Communication Provides exceptional customer service and demonstrates a patient-centered approach in all interactions. Establishes positive working relationships with patients, families, physicians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary team members. Communicates patient requests, concerns, diet-related issues, and service needs to appropriate team members in a timely manner. Assists in resolving customer concerns and participates in service recovery efforts to enhance patient satisfaction. Food Safety & Quality Adheres to all food safety, infection prevention, sanitation, and HACCP guidelines. Completes required food safety monitoring, temperature logs, and departmental documentation accurately and timely. Maintains a clean, organized, and sanitary work environment that meets regulatory and organizational standards. Participates in quality improvement initiatives and supports departmental performance goals. Operational Excellence Utilizes food, supplies, equipment, and resources responsibly and efficiently. Maintains required records and documentation in accordance with department procedures. Demonstrates flexibility in assignments and supports department operations as needed. Adheres to organizational policies, procedures, Mission, Vision, Values, and Service Excellence Standards. QUALIFICATIONS Education High School Diploma or GED Equivalent . Required Licenses and Certifications . . Work Experience 1-3 years. Prior food service experience. Preferred 1-3 years. Experience working in a hospital or healthcare environment. Preferred Knowledge Skills and Abilities Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with patients, visitors, nursing staff, dietitians, physicians, and other team members. Strong customer service skills with a demonstrated ability to provide compassionate, patient-centered service and effectively resolve customer concerns Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced healthcare environment while managing multiple priorities and meeting established service standards. Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain accurate records, coordinate workflow, and complete assigned duties efficiently. Basic computer skills and the ability to utilize food service and hospital software systems as required. Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP standards, and quality improvement practices applicable to patient food services. Ability to conduct frequent patient room visits to obtain meal selections, address requests, ensure dietary compliance, and support patient satisfaction. Ability to collaborate effectively with nursing staff, clinical dietitians, and food service personnel to meet patient nutritional needs and provide accurate meal service. Ability to maintain a professional appearance, positive attitude, and behavior consistent with the organization's values and service excellence standards. Ability to contribute to a positive team environment through cooperation, professionalism, recognition of others, and respectful interactions with all customers and colleagues. Physical Demands A thorough completion of this section is needed for compliance with legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Standing . Constantly Walking . Frequently Lifting/Carrying . Frequently 50 lbs Pushing/Pulling . Frequently Climbing . Occasionally Balancing . Occasionally Stooping/Kneeling/Bending . Frequently Reaching/Over Head Work . Frequently Grasping . Frequently Speaking . Occasionally Hearing . Constantly Repetitive Motions . Constantly Eye/Hand/Foot Coordinations . Frequently Benefits A****vailable Continuing Education 403B Retirement Plan with Employer Match Contributions Pet, Identity Theft and Legal Services Insurance Wellness Programs and Incentives Employee Assistance Program Medical Benefits License+ Certification Reimbursement Life, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability, Group Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Employee Discount Program Other: Early Access to Earned Wages Tuition Assistance Relocation Assistance Paid Time Away Special Employee Rates at NMMC Wellness Centers Requirements No additional requirements from any stated in the above description. Education You must have the following education to apply: You must have a High School Diploma, GED, or Project Search Graduate or higher #J-18808-Ljbffr