Dietary Clerk

At Houston Methodist, the Dietary Clerk position is responsible for performing customer-oriented activities and various background operational duties relating to obtaining Room Service orders and the entry of meal selections via the departmental computerized software. This position is responsible for taking diet orders from patients, explaining which diet patients are on and answering questions regarding food choices. The Dietary Clerk position assists with patient tray assembly. This position organizes menus by unit and utilizes departmental computerized software to supplement menus for patient meals that have not been ordered. The Dietary Clerk position is responsible for the calculation, delivery, and tracking of nutrition products to the patient's bedside or patient care unit. This position follows all department policies and procedures and must comply with relevant local Food Ordinances.

FLSA STATUS

Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience in customer service, diet office, dietetic field or call center preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Food Handlers Permit - Various Issuers Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Demonstrates skills and initiative in problem-solving and improving productivity

• Ability to engage in multiple activities simultaneously, maintain accurate records and timely turnaround and completion of orders

• Demonstrates skills and ability to handle complaints and resolves problems in the absence of the Supervisor/Team Leader

• Must possess good communication skills and be able to work in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrates skills and ability to obtain as well as analyze pertinent information in order to make informed decisions

• Able to work independently with limited supervision and requires the ability to listen well

• Demonstrates active listening skills giving full attention to what other people are saying

• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment

• Utilizes good judgment in professional decision-making

• Competency in standard software applications (Outlook, Excel) and the ability to the computerized departmental software system

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Explains procedure for ordering of meals to all patients. Anticipates the need of the patient and responds appropriately. Interacts in a positive, professional manner with patients, family members and/or nursing on a daily basis. Communicates clearly and professionally, whether verbally or in writing, to take patient orders, promoting both work efforts and problem resolution.

• Communicates with unit and on-call Dietitian to clarify discrepancies in diet orders and to ensure patient needs are met. Partners with the Nutrition Assistant to ensure patients' selections are communicated to tray line.

• Communicates pertinent information (difficulty eating, poor appetite, nourishment concerns, formula usage, requests to see the Dietitian, nutrition consult orders) to ensure proper handling and timely processing of information.

• Promotes, develops, and sustains teamwork. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with incoming calls. Enters census for trays provided to guest and outpatient areas, accurately entering patient meal orders into the computerized departmental software. Dispatches received messages, as appropriate, and orders in a timely manner upon receipt.

• Navigates and confirm patient’s diet orders and notes in EMR. Maintains knowledge of diets when negotiating alternatives to selections when items requested are not allowed on the patient’s diet or when greater variety is needed, offers alternative items to increase patient satisfaction with service.

• Confers with patients by phone to obtain their patient meal request, utilizing computerized department software in recording information (allergies, late/hold, paper service, notes, etc.) in the proper manner so that concise instructions relating to patient care are maintained and followed. Assists in plating food items on patients’ trays during peak times as per team leader or manager.

• Resolves promptly any issues, which may occur with any of the patient dining services programs and refers complaints to the appropriate departmental staff member for investigation and follow-up. Recommends improvements of department score for patient satisfaction through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Properly enters menu selections for patients with accuracy and consistency, keeping current and knowledgeable of patient diet orders and hospital menus. Delivers and updates Welcome Packets, patient menus.

• Compiles all documentation into monthly reports specified by management staff. Assists in creating reports and handouts per management request.

• Matches patient meal worksheets with the computerized departmental software sheets to determine accuracy of information received through the orders interface, ensuring that patient diets are appropriately modified to meet the physician prescribed diet order.

• Accurately notes patient preferences using information received from the tray check sheets, fax machines, printer, patient, nursing or the Dietitian.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Completes tracking of nutrition products delivered or returned. Inventories and keeps office supplies at pre-established amounts to reduce waste and stay within budgeting funds.

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: Yes

• Scrubs: No

• Business professional: No

• Other (department approved): Yes

ON-CALL *

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL **

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No

• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience in customer service, diet office, dietetic field or call center preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required

• Food Handlers Permit - Various Issuers Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, Houston Methodist's eighth hospital, opened in the first quarter of 2025 in a prime location in the heart of the rapidly growing U.S. 290 corridor. It incorporates the most advanced technology available, featuring innovations designed to enhance communication between patients, physicians, staff and families. The facility combines state-of-the-art technology with world-class clinicians, creating an unparalleled experience for patients, employees and physicians.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.