Nutrition Assistant- Food and Nutrition

Nutrition Assistant Food and Nutrition

Baystate Health is seeking a Nutrition Assistant to join the Food and Nutrition Department at Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, Massachusetts. Our Food and Nutrition team plays an important role in the patient experience by supporting safe, accurate, and personalized meal service. Working closely with patients, families, and medical staff, you will help patients select foods that align with their nutritional needs while providing compassionate, service-focused support.

The Nutrition Assistant role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on patient satisfaction and quality care. Using handheld technology, you will facilitate patient meal selections, support nutrition-related care processes, and help strengthen communication between Food and Nutrition and clinical teams.

The Nutrition Assistant Will:

• Facilitate patient meal selections using handheld technology and system applications, following established scripting, allergy verification, and patient identification procedures.
• Assess patients for appropriate food selections and guide patients and families toward choices that comply with prescribed Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) orders, offering appropriate alternatives when needed.
• Verify diet orders and allergies and use established processes to ensure patients receive meals that are accurate and appropriate to their clinical needs.
• Communicate patient food choice, intake, and meal service concerns to the Clinical Nutrition Team and nursing staff, supporting timely follow-up and quality patient care.
• Monitor and follow up on meal service concerns, including patients who have not ordered meals or whose expectations have not been met, using documentation and communication with dietitians and Food Service leadership.
• Provide accurate information to the production and tray assembly areas, supporting efficient tray preparation, reducing waste, and ensuring timely removal of meals for discharged patients.
• Perform other similar and related duties as assigned to meet the operational needs of the department.

Schedule Details

• Job Type: Full-time
• Shift: Days
• Hours: 40 hours/week
• Schedule: Three 12-hour shifts from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and one 6-hour shift on Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Weekend Requirement: Rotating weekends
• Holiday Requirement: Rotating holidays

Benefits That Support You

At Baystate Health, you get the best of both worlds: the resources, stability, and career opportunities of a large integrated healthcare system with the supportive culture of a community-focused organization.

Depending on eligibility, benefits may include:

• Competitive Pay & Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, including local Health New England plans.
• Tuition & Training: Tuition assistance, CEUs, and professional development opportunities.
• Career Growth: Clinical advancement, leadership development, and internal career opportunities.
• Regional Opportunities: Career options across Baystate Health hospitals, practices, and services throughout western Massachusetts.
• Retirement: Retirement savings and employer match.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO for eligible employees.

About Baystate Health

Baystate Health is an integrated healthcare system serving patients and communities throughout western Massachusetts. Our network includes Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Children's Hospital, Baystate Noble Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Wing Hospital, Baystate Medical Practices, and Baystate Home Health & Hospice.

Whether you provide direct patient care, clinical services, or operational support, your work at Baystate Health helps improve the health of the communities we serve.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• High School Diploma, GED, or HiSET
• Food service and/or healthcare experience.