ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Patient Dining Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Downers Grove, IL

$71K - $98K/yr

Oversee daily kitchen operations, food production, and service delivery across patient dining ... Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field, or equivalent ...

Compass Group

TRAVELING SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL

$55K - $60K/yr

Prepare high-quality food for patient dining, retail, and catering * Help execute catering events and special functions * Train and support hourly culinary associates * Maintain strong standards for ...

Compass Group

TRAVELING SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Prepare high-quality food for patient dining, retail, and catering * Help execute catering events and special functions * Train and support hourly culinary associates * Maintain strong standards for ...

Compass Group

TRAVELING SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Prepare high-quality food for patient dining, retail, and catering * Help execute catering events and special functions * Train and support hourly culinary associates * Maintain strong standards for ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsPatient Dining Associate JobsPatient Dining Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Patient Dining Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$13

$19

$25

How much do patient dining associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient dining associate in Chicago, IL is $19.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $21.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patient dining associate?

Patient Dining Associates are healthcare support professionals responsible for ensuring that patients receive appropriate meals during their hospital stay. They work closely with patients to take meal orders, accommodate dietary restrictions, deliver trays, and help resolve any food service issues. Their role is essential for patient satisfaction and nutritional care, as they act as a liaison between patients, dietary staff, and healthcare providers. Patient Dining Associates must be attentive, compassionate, and knowledgeable about food safety and hospital protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a patient dining associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Patient Dining Associate, you need a basic knowledge of nutrition, food safety, and dietary restrictions, often backed by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with food service equipment, hospital meal tracking systems, and compliance with health regulations is typically required. Excellent customer service, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you interact effectively with patients and healthcare staff. These abilities are vital to ensure patients receive safe, nutritious meals that meet their medical needs and enhance overall satisfaction.

How does a patient dining associate collaborate with clinical staff to meet patients’ dietary needs?

Patient Dining Associates work closely with nurses and dietitians to ensure that meals align with each patient's nutritional requirements and medical restrictions. They communicate regularly with clinical staff to receive updates on patients’ diets, allergies, or changes in medical status. This collaboration helps provide safe, tailored meal service and allows the associate to address any patient concerns or requests efficiently. Good communication and teamwork are essential in this role to support patient health and satisfaction.

What is the difference between Patient Dining Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectPatient Dining AssociateFood Service Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety training
Work EnvironmentHospitals, healthcare facilities, patient care areasRestaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, various food service settings
Job FocusAssisting patients with meals, ensuring dietary needs are metPreparing, serving, and cleaning up food in food service settings

The main difference between a Patient Dining Associate and a Food Service Worker lies in their work environment and focus. Patient Dining Associates specifically serve and assist patients in healthcare settings, ensuring dietary restrictions are followed. Food Service Workers generally work in broader food service environments like restaurants or cafeterias, focusing on food preparation and service. Both roles require similar certifications but differ mainly in their daily responsibilities and patient interaction.

What tasks are patient dining associates responsible for that lead to overall patient satisfaction?

Patient dining associates are responsible for delivering and serving meals to patients, ensuring dietary restrictions are followed, and maintaining cleanliness in dining areas. Their attentive service and timely delivery contribute to patient comfort and satisfaction. Good communication skills and adherence to safety protocols are essential in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Patient Dining jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Patient Dining jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Patient Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Patient Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Patient Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Patient Dining Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Patient Dining Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Patient Dining Associate job openings:

Patient Dining Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Dining Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,607 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Compass Group

Downers Grove, IL

$71K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,099 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

351st of 500 rated business services

Job description

 Salary: 85,000 - 95,000 / year based on experience

Other Forms of Compensation: Flexible Paid Time Off, Benefits, 401K, Training 

Pay Grade: 14 

Morrison Healthcare, a Compass Healthcare company, is a leader in healthcare food and nutrition services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country. With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized dining experiences for patients and in their cafés to advance the healing and healthful missions of its clients. Morrison has been serving some of the nation’s largest health systems for more than 70 years, and it leverages culinary, nutritional, and operational expertise to provide consistency and transform the healthcare experience. Since 2012, Morrison has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work and Training Magazine has named it a Top 125/APEX Award Training Organization. Morrison has more than 1,600 registered dietitians and 1,200 executive chefs, and serves more than 600M meals annually.

Job Summary

As the Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary and kitchen operations for a 333-bed hospital, ensuring the delivery of high-quality food services while maintaining a safe, sanitary, and efficient work environment. This role oversees food production for patient meal services, the cafeteria, coffee shop, and catering operations. The Executive Chef is responsible for menu execution, inventory management, purchasing, scheduling, staff leadership, recruitment, training, and compliance with all regulatory and company standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a results-driven culinary leader with a strong background in healthcare or high-volume foodservice operations.

Key Responsibilities
  • Oversee daily kitchen operations, food production, and service delivery across patient dining, retail dining, coffee shop, and catering functions.
  • Plan and execute regular and therapeutic menus in accordance with established guidelines and nutritional standards.
  • Ensure adherence to standardized recipes, portion control, presentation standards, and production schedules.
  • Monitor food quality by tasting and evaluating completed meals and reviewing production and waste logs.
  • Lead, coach, and develop culinary staff on food preparation techniques, food safety, sanitation, equipment operation, and company procedures.
  • Manage hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance management, and ongoing staff training.
  • Establish and maintain cleaning and preventative maintenance schedules for equipment, storage areas, and kitchen workspaces.
  • Oversee purchasing, inventory control, and product utilization to ensure operational efficiency and cost management.
  • Implement strategies to minimize waste and maximize the appropriate use of leftover food products in accordance with company guidelines.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local health regulations, company policies, and department sanitation procedures.
  • Maintain readiness for health department inspections and third-party audits.
  • Promote a culture of safety by enforcing facility and company safety standards and reporting procedures.
  • Participate in departmental meetings, staff development initiatives, and professional growth opportunities.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Five or more years of progressive culinary leadership experience in healthcare, hospitality, or institutional foodservice environments.
  • Experience managing high-volume, complex foodservice operations.
  • Strong background in hospital, institutional, or batch cooking environments.
  • Hands-on culinary leadership experience with the ability to work alongside kitchen teams.
  • Catering management experience is highly preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of food trends, quality standards, production methods, sanitation practices, food cost controls, and presentation.
  • Experience with food purchasing, inventory management, labor scheduling, and budget accountability.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, email, and internet-based applications.
  • Commitment to client and patient satisfaction initiatives.
  • ServSafe Certification preferred.

Apply to Morrison Healthcare today!

Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Morrison Healthcare are offered many fantastic benefits. 

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_MorrisonHealthcare.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Morrison Healthcare maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1552592

Morrison Healthcare 

AMY S MILLER 

[[req_classification]] 

What Compass Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply