Host/Hostess - FLH Dietary - PRN - 5:30a - 6:30p

Nutrition Services Host/Hostess

Responsible for patients total nutritional care experience. This includes: tray-line supervision, menu management, tray delivery, stocking and maintaining floor kitchen, recording food and fluid intake, patient satisfaction, and working with the Registered Dietitians, Nursing staff and Physicians to assure patients receive requested foods that are allowable on their diet. Acts as a liaison between the patient and Nutrition Services Department. Exhibits the F.I.R.S.T. values (Friendliness, Innovation, Respect, Services, and Trust).

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Distributes and collects patient trays and helps patients with placement of tray, opening items, and tray set up.
2. Distributes, collects, and assists patients with menus and updates throughout the day for changes, discharges, and new admissions.
3. Alters special diets so patients get correct menu and foods.
4. Maintains current diet information via computer and nurses station to ensure correct diet served.
5. Prepares and serves nourishments
6. Records food and fluid consumption log in Meditech system. Records intake when patient is on calorie count giving exact foods and amounts for Registered Dietitian.
7. Maintains sanitation of unit pantry daily. Performs heavy cleaning once per week.
8. Maintains floor stock inventory for all pantries and logs supplies taken daily to assure correct charge for each unit.
9. Gathers stock for EMH outside centers and records amounts to assure correct charge for each location.
10. Reports patient nutrition and patient dissatisfaction concerns to Clinical Dietitian and Food Services Director as appropriate.
11. Tallies menu items for food production and writes up any special request items.
12. Considers the age of the patient served, applies knowledge of growth and development and age-specific techniques over the life span in planning and implementing care and deciding appropriate foods to serve. Must also consider infection control issues with patients in isolation and any special instructions such as "no straws" or "plastic utensils" etc.
13. Manages time appropriately to assure patients receive meals and snacks on time and that dirty trays are returned to kitchen promptly.
14. Sets up and supervise tray line operations to assure accuracy and appearance of all trays is acceptable before serving to patients.
15. Trains and orients new Host/Hostess staff and/or any kitchen staff requesting to be cross trained as a Host/Hostess.
16. Works on a regular basis with nursing and ancillary staff in other departments as well as physicians and family members or caretakers of patients to assure diet is correct and patients nutritional needs are met.
17. Distributes educational material to patients regarding special diets. Provides basic education to patients concerning their diet and helps patient select from their menu. Makes appropriate substitutions to menu plan based on patient likes/dislikes.
18. Strives to achieve a score of excellent on patient satisfaction survey. Helps department achieve patient satisfaction goals.
19. Complies with all principles of Safe Food Handling as designated by County, State, and Federal regulations.
20. Demonstrates a commitment to professional accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills.
21. Contributes to the achievement of the mission, vision, and values of the Organization.
22. Contributes to the effective operations of the Organization by demonstrating dependability in job performance.
23. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation).
24. Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization.
25. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working Conditions, Hazards and Physical Effort:

Stands, works, and moves objects throughout the day. Must be able to move or position 25 lbs. independently. Works long hours, on your feet 11-12 hours out of a 13 hour day. Must be very organized and able to make decisions independently and quickly.

Contacts with Others:

Patients, visitors, family, sitters, physicians, and other hospital staff.