Wait Staff Associate - Food Service Department, Full-time, Days

The salary range for this position is $21.50 - $21.50 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

• Hours: 40 hours per week
• Days Schedule: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM or 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Works Rotating Weekends and Holidays)
• Location:  Feinberg/Galter; FL BS
• Union Hourly Compensation: $21.50 per hour (+ $0.97/hour for shift pay differential) (non-negotiable). The role is graded as a non-exempt position meaning you are eligible for overtime.
• Benefits Eligible Role: New employees are eligible for benefits to begin on the first of the month following their starting date. Our 2026 Benefits Summary is attached for your reference.

The Wait Staff Associate reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Wait Staff Associate supports the Department of Food & Nutrition by delivering and retrieving patient trays within a room service model. This individual is responsible for timeliness and the safe food handling of trays and items to designated patient care areas. This position supports room service model as necessary to include but not limited to delivery, retrieval, assembly and service of trays to our patients. The Wait Staff Associate is expected to adhere to and practice guidelines in regards to Best Patient Experience Philosophy

Responsibilities : 

• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions such as policies and procedures 
• Performs a variety of work and follows procedures consisting of several steps or that require judgment in completing a sequence of tasks
• Must be able to read and comprehend tray tickets
• Must be knowledgeable of diet restrictions and comfortably answer questions
• Must display a “Can-Do” - Service mindset
• Serves and retrieves patient and gust trays from patient rooms in a courteous and professional manner
• Notifies Expeditors/Nutrition Operator of any food issues so that meal can be completed/modified appropriately
• Accurately delivers trays to patients and visitors according to established procedures
• Retrieves trays within one hour of service
• Conducts Satisfaction checks with Patients 
• Observes HIPAA and Patient Identification guidelines
• Must be able to work safely; moving carts, observing Security procedures, proper utilization of elevator
• Cleans and sanitizes delivery and retrieval carts daily
• Maintains soiled tray carts as designated on patient care floors
• May operate equipment with dishwashing area to include proper set up, break down, deliming, temperature logs and sanitation of area
• Adheres to diet and allergy restrictions for patient food orders 
• Performs assigned tasks efficiently during meal service to maintain accurate and expeditious service.
• Must be proficient in delivery of multiple orders
• Follows established food-handling practices to maintain food safety standards and comply with infection control procedures
• Delivers floor stock daily according to pars
• Rotates floor stock according to food safety procedures
• Documents refrigeration temperatures daily in patient pantries that contain floor stock
• Maintains galleys in safe, clean and safe manner
• Operates equipment properly, safely and efficiently according to established procedures
• Reports all damaged and unsafe equipment to management
• Completes all assigned cleaning by end of each work shift to include but not limited to detailed cleaning
• Cleans assigned areas and equipment according to standards and utilization of proper cleaning chemicals.
• Maintains work area in clean and orderly manner.
• Completes routine projects or detail cleaning duties as assigned.
• Attends department in-services and meetings 
• Completes Hospital required training and surveys
• May assist in tray assembly and must follow established procedures
• May assist in Dishroom as needed
• Follow established break schedule unless otherwise directed by manager
• Maintains supplies and equipment to ensure efficiency, including portioning, dating, and storage of food
• Maintains established levels of supplies for work area
• Notifies management of workload status and availability for additional assignments or need of additional assistance
• Assists in the orientation of new employees in the department by demonstrating basic duties of job
• Responds to management requests in a positive and timely manner
• Performs other duties as assigned

AA/EOE

Qualifications

Required :

• Two years of service experience
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Maintains positive and friendly manner during peak service times with focus on timeliness, accuracy and excellent service

Preferred:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Food Handling Certification Health Department – City of Chicago

Equal Opportunity

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. 

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.