Nutrition Program Associate Jobs in Hagerstown, MD

This Full-time Opportunity will work directly with our patients to provide MEAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE.

Will work 12 hour shifts from 6:30a - 6:30p.

E/O Weekend and Rotating Holidays

**ADDITIONAL PAY FOR SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL**

 Benefit Package that includes Medical/Dental/Vision insurance, Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability,

403B Retirement Savings Program and Paid Time Off. 

The Catering Associate provides personalized meal service to hospitalized patients of all ages (including patients who are NPO or on tube feedings). Meal Service includes direct patient contact in assisting with bedside meal selections, dietary needs, and special requests using an electronic device. Duties also include serving meals to patients, stocking nourishment room, tray assembly, delivery and pick up, cleaning and clearing patient dishware.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required:

Basic food handling, customer service and ability to understand diets along with food allergies. Requires clean and neat appearance with ability to stand for long periods of time.

1.  High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
2.  Requires 1-year previous food service experience working directly with customers, clients or patients, preferably in an acute care setting.
3. Proficiency in the use of computer software including: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Email, API, Meditech, and Computrition.
4. Must possess or be able to learn basic diet knowledge including modified diets. Demonstrate understanding by altering patient menus accordingly.
5. Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
6. Attention to detail while providing excellent personalized service. Must be able to identify solutions to service issues and use critical thinking to resolve them in timely manner.
7. Excellent verbal and oral communications skills in order to effectively interact with patients, families, managers and co-workers of a diverse population base.
8. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
9. Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills in providing appropriate care/contact for patients in the following age groups:

            X         Child (13 months thru 12 years)

            X         Adolescent (13 years thru 17 years)

            X         Adult (18 years thru 65 years)

            X         Geriatric (66+ years)

Physical Demands:

Heavy Work – Lifting up to 100 pounds on an infrequent basis (less than one lift every three minutes) and/or carrying up to 50 pounds while walking, pushing or pulling up to 115 pounds infrequently.

Ergonomic Risk Factors:

 Repetition: Repeating the same motion over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons. The severity of risk depends on how often the action is repeated, the speed of the movement, the required force and muscle involved

Awkward Posture: Posture is the position your body is in and its effect on the muscle groups that are involved in the physical activity. Awkward postures include repeated or prolonged reaching, bending, kneeling, squatting, working overhead with you hands or arms, or holding fixed positions.

 Forceful Exertion:  The amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as moving patients) or to maintain control of equipment or tools.  The amount of force depends on the type of grip, the weight of an object or person, body posture, the type of activity and the duration of the task.

Contact Stress:  Pressing the body hard on sharp edges can result in placing too much pressure on nerves, tendons, and blood vessels.  For example, using the palm of your hand to hit or stick objects can increase risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Working Conditions:

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Risk Category B – MAY have exposure to blood or body fluids when performing tasks.

Reporting Relationship:

Position reports to the Patient Services Manager. Receives oversight and direction from the Diet Clerk, Patient Service Supervisors, Director, and the Clinical Nutrition Manager.

 Salary Range $17.69 - $23.08