Catering associate job description

Performs activities supporting preparation and service of food, delivery and collection of food and supplies, operation of machinery, and department sanitation.
Job Responsibility

* * Stocks workstations and mobile cares with service ware, condiments and perishable and non-perishable food items prior to each meal service period.
* * Cleans and replenishes carafes for hot beverage service for each meal service period.
* * Rotates and checks expiration dates of all food items according to department policies and procedures.
* * Identifies patients by name and date of birth at each interaction per hospital and regulatory guidelines.
* * Distributes printed menu and diet information cards to patients prior to first meal service.
* * Assists patient with menu selections. Communicates if requested items are inconsistent with diet order and makes recommendations for appropriate alternatives.
* * Obtains patient menu selections, assesses and modifies selections for therapeutic appropriateness per Nutrition Care Order, as needed.
* * Communicates with nursing staff to identify any changes in Nutrition Care Order prior to meal service period. Communicates any concerns regarding patient meal service to appropriate clinical staff member
* * Tallies hot and cold food items and communicates needs to production staff within established timeframe prior to scheduled assembly.
* * Assembles tray in designated area according to daily assignment sheet, Nutrition Care Order and patient menu selections.
* * Performs catering rounds after delivering meal trays at each meal service.
* * Distributes and collects patient trays. Delivers late trays / rush trays to units, as needed.
* * Notifies management of any issues during meal service including, but not limited to, shortages, unacceptable quality, and substitutions.
* * Informs Dietitian of any patient related issues including, but not limited to poor food intake, diet order discrepancies, and food allergy concerns.
* * Cleans pantry according to established guidelines. Follows proper procedures for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen equipment/ surfaces.
* * Ensures proper storage of all food items, with proper labeling / dating. Discards expired products.
* * Removes waste from plates and service ware. Stacks washable items for dishwasher and operates dishwasher according to department guidelines.
* * Delivers clean service ware to designated areas.
* * Delivers floor stock and nourishments to patient floors. Completes floor stock/nourishment record forms for each unit daily. Deliver snacks directly to patient at designated times.
* * Returns census/diet list, snack list, floor stock record forms and supplement lists to designated location.
* * Collects and returns all food, condiment, and mobile food carts to kitchen after each meal service period.
* * Maintains safe and sanitary environment by cleaning up spills and using appropriate safety signage. Immediately notifies management of any unsafe conditions.
* * Cleans and sanitizes mobile food trucks, workstations counters/shelves, refrigerators, wire racks, etc and uses cleaning chemicals according to established policies and procedures. Notifies management of any chemicals not properly labeled.
* * Answers department telephone in a professional and courteous manner.
* * Records telephone requests in appropriate log and processes requests for meal trays, special request items and/or Nutrition Care Order changes. Delivers items within established timeframe.
* * Generate and file reports, as assigned.
* Performs related duties as required.
* ADA Essential Functions
* Walking, standing, bending, pushing and pulling of trucks.
* Lifting of supplies 20 lbs or less.

Job Qualification

* High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
* Prior related food and/or dietary work experience, preferred.
* Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbally and in writing).

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 6 months experience in a Food Services role

Preferred:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Overview

Community Memorial Health System was established in 2005 when Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura merged with Ojai Valley Community Hospital. It is comprised of these two hospitals along with a network of primary and specialty care health centers serving various communities across west Ventura County. Our health system is a community-owned, not-for-profit organization. As such, we are not backed by a corporate or government entity, nor do we answer to shareholders. We depend on - and answer to - the communities we serve.

Community Memorial Health System Benefits

To help heal, comfort, and promote health for the communities we serve, Community Memorial Health System (CMHS) takes care of our community of employees so our local community can be cared for. That's why we provide competitive benefits, along with great career choices, training, and leadership development. Our total rewards package provides benefits that support you and your family's health and wellness in all aspects of life. From our top tier insurance plans to our employee assistance program, take advantage of what CMHS has to offer so you and your loved ones can have peace of mind now and for years to come. CMHS is here for you and your family every step of the way.

• Competitive Pay
• Shift Differentials (Nights & Weekends)
• In-House Registry Rates
• Fidelity 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Medical (EPO/PPO), Dental, & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Voluntary Worksite Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program Available 24/7 (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Recognition programs
• Employee service recognition events
• Home, Retail, Travel & Entertainment Discounts
• National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week celebrations

“We are an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabled Employer”

Performs duties of a Food Service Worker/Catering Associate I as assigned, i.e., responsible for patient meal and service food on assigned units, e.g., menu selections, tray assembly, tray delivery and pick-up, special requests and needs, and in-between meal food delivery, prints and delivers menus, retrieval of menus which may include computer system functions, floor stock process, assembling of trays and diet education.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES(*Essential Functions)

+ Answers questions relating to the ordering, assembling, delivering and retrieving of all food items to patients and their spoken menus.

+ Assists Dietitian with monitoring of patients who are NPO, on liquid diets or need to have intake recorded.

+ Assists in checking patient trays for menu compliance, accuracy and completeness as needed or assigned.

+ Assists in training current and future employees in computer system functions including diet definitions, floor stock process and par levels for individual units, assembly and delivery of patient trays as needed.

+ Assumes responsibility for allergy tracking, food temperature logs and unit refrigerator logs keeping them in good standing with all rules, regulations and or policies.

+ Assumes responsibility for quality service reflected in internal or external patient satisfaction survey results on assigned units.

+ Communicates and addresses patient food issues, concerns and needs to Food & Medical Nutrition Services.

+ Completes spoken menu process with patients.

+ Interacts with Nursing in regards to patient nutrition needs or requirements as well as unit food service needs.

+ Performs service recovery as needed and appropriate with patients, patient families, and nursing.

+ Reacts accurately and effectively to all changes to ensure efficient timing of services, accuracy of physician ordered modified diets.

+ Understands dietary restrictions on special, modified diets to ensure optimal food preferences are met within guidelines of diet order limitations.

+ Operates the hospital computer system to generate reports, menus and labels, and the EMR system to clarify patient location, orders and receive info-grams during assigned time periods.

+ Distributes and assists patients, collects menus by unit daily and keys selections into the hospital computer system while maintaining a time schedule.

+ Utilizes the write-in list when deemed necessary.

+ Contacts isolation patients by telephone regarding menu choices.

+ Inventories, gathers and delivers par level supplies accurately to designated nursing units using par level forms and following the established schedule.

+ Inspects refrigerators in unit pantries thoroughly on a daily basis to assess cleanliness, labeling, dating and rotating of stock, storage of employee foods, placement of thermometer and proper temperature maintenance.

+ Tallies special items needed for each meal.

+ Handles patient complaints courteously.

+ Checks all trays assembled on the Tray line in a timely fashion for accuracy, appearance, and cleanliness recording the number of trays served on each unit.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS(Minimum Requirements)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

+ Demonstrates full understanding and knowledge of the job functions by passing a basic skills test of dietetic.

+ Demonstrates knowledge of modified diets, proper condiments and related restrictions for diets based upon passing a written test provided by clinical staff.

+ Demonstrates knowledge of infection control and sanitation with food temperatures, refrigeration temperatures, hand washing, use of gloves and dating of food.

+ Strong verbal and written communication skills; proficient in basic mathematical skills.

+ Must be able to problem-solve independently.

+ Reading and writing abilities required.

+ Ability to interact with patients and staff congenially.

+ Ability to read, write and speak English (or other languages as necessary).

+ Able to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruptions on a continuous basis.

+ Able to understand and relate to specific ideas, generally several at a time, on a continuous basis.

+ Able to understand and relate to concepts behind specific ideas occasionally.

+ Able to remember multiple tasks/assignments generally several at a time given to self and others over long periods of time on a frequent and continuous basis.

+ Requires a minimum six months education in diet office terminology and computer skills.

EDUCATION

+ High School Diploma/GED Equivalent Required

+ 6 months of working experience as Food Service Worker I or Catering Associate I is required.

+ 1 Healthcare/Medical Required

+ 0.5 Food Services Required

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

Meets the Standards of Behavior as outlined in Personnel Policy and Procedure #1, Employee Relations Code.

CONFIDENTIALITY/HIPAA/CORPORATE COMPLIANCE

Demonstrates knowledge of procedures for protecting and maintaining security, confidentiality and integrity of employee, patient, family, organizational and other medical information. Understands and supports the commitment of Methodist Hospitals in adhering to federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing ethical business practices for healthcare providers.

DISCLAIMER - The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

ID: 2022-9141

Street: 8701 Broadway

FTE: .50