NUTRITION SERVICES SPECIALIST

Job Title

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

Provide a variety of duties in order to provide food to patients, visitors and staff in a safe and courteous manner.

Essential Job Functions

• Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
• Food Sanitation and Safety
  • Perform food service related to duties in a manner which meet the established Department of Health standards for sanitation and safety.
  • Practice good hygiene which includes handwashing, wearing hair restraints and personal hygiene.
  • Use gloves as directed for serving food, sanitation and food production activities.
  • Perform routine cleaning assignments (which includes patient carts) keeps work area and equipment neat and clean. Sign and date cleaning sheets when work complete.
  • Report any requirement malfunctions or unsafe work condition promptly to supervisor.
  • Dispose of garbage correctly and safely.
• Food storage
  • Store all food safely and in proper locations and according to HACCP policy.
  • Store food in a proper storage container, which is clearly labeled and dated.
  • Check dates on stored items and plan usage accordingly to prevent waste.
  • Utilize food items from storage locations on a FIFO (first in, first out) basis.
  • Inform supervisor when the last item is taken out of inventory to ensure accuracy of par levels.
  • Follow department guidelines for use by dates and expiration dates.
  • Store food and supply items from delivery in proper locations.
• Food Preparation
  • Prepare food according to recipes and production sheets which meet the department standards for quality, and measure by appearance, taste and temperature and portion size.
  • Correctly produce or portion items on production sheets. Report any discrepancies to the supervisor.
  • Maintain records for production area which may include information about production and usage numbers, yields, and over production/leftovers.
  • Follow proper cooking techniques and methods which include but are not limited to: weighing, mixing, measuring, cutting and combining ingredients.
  • Prepare snacks/nourishments for patients according to department procedures and diet guidelines. Deliver snacks in a timely manner. Ensure correct patient receives correct snack. Notify diet office of any patient concerns or changes needed.
  • Inventory items for the following day and prepare orders.
• Food transportation/Utility
  • Perform utility and dish room duties. Pull or push food carts to various locations in a timely and safe manner.
  • Transport food carts to and from patient care areas in a safe, timely manner to ensure food arrives in a presentable manner.
  • Return to patient areas according to schedule to gather late trays.
  • Perform routine cleaning assignments (which includes patient charts) keep work area and equipment neat and clean. Sign and date cleaning sheets when work completed.
  • Report any equipment malfunctions or unsafe work condition promptly to supervisor.
  • Will provide routine cleaning of dish machines.
• Food Receiving
  • Receive food and supplies from vendors to assure accurate and safe delivery as per the HACCP guidelines.
  • Unload food items from pallets or carts and correctly check off invoice. Alert supervisor to discrepancies.
  • Keep records of sales, meal passes, MD charges, etc. and document appropriately.
  • Perform transactions within dietary software. Answer phone. Process diet orders via dietary software. Organize tray tickets and tally reports in a professional manner and answer all customer questions in a kind, courteous manner.
• Food Service
  • Serve food to patients, customers and guests in a variety of settings according to department standards.
  • Use correct portioning tool issued for products in all service areas, tray line, cafeteria, catering.
  • Follow HACCP temperature guidelines for holding foods during service to ensure a safe, high-quality product. Take and record food temperature at assigned times.
  • Accurately serve food on the tray or in cafeteria. Accurately assemble and check patient trays according to prescribed therapeutic diet order. Perform duties in an efficient and cooperative manner. Keep workstation clean. Restock as necessary.
  • Deliver trays to patients in a timely and courteous manner according to department guidelines to ensure that the correct patient receives the correct tray.
  • Stock patient areas with food and supplies according to par levels. Maintain records. Report problems with par levels to supervisor.
  • Demonstrate customer skills in dealing with patients, visitors and employees.
  • Obtain patient meal selections; update patient chart electronically and rotate items on a FIFO (first in, first out) basis.
  • Store perishable items in a timely manner and proper location according to HACCP guidelines to ensure food safety. Record temperature of perishable items upon receiving them.
  • Check date on products and stored items. Notify supervisor of expired items.
  • Return empty boxes to proper trash location.
• Cash Handling
  • Ensure that customers are charged appropriately for food items and that all cash transactions are accounted for in cash register balances.
  • Operate cash requester according to procedures for cash handling. Notify supervisor immediately any discrepancies occur at register.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in Food Service and Cash Handling
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Serve Safe Certification preferred.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Independence Health System