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Patient Nutrition Assistant Jobs in Springfield, VA

Supervisor Nutrition Services

Olney, MD · On-site

$20.57 - $36.27/hr

... Nutrition Services staff and to ensure that each service area; production retail and patient ... Assist on tray line and prepares trays according to prescribed diets and patient requests.

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Patient Nutrition Assistant information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$12

$22

$64

How much do patient nutrition assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for patient nutrition assistant in Springfield, VA is $22.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a patient nutrition assistant?

Patient Nutrition Assistants are healthcare support professionals who help ensure patients receive meals that meet their dietary needs and preferences while following medical or nutritional guidelines set by healthcare providers. They typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities, collaborating with dietitians, nurses, and kitchen staff. Their responsibilities include taking meal orders, delivering food trays, addressing patient dietary concerns, and sometimes assisting with menu planning to accommodate special diets. Their role is essential for patient health, comfort, and recovery, as proper nutrition is a key part of medical care.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a patient nutrition assistant?

To thrive as a Patient Nutrition Assistant, you need knowledge of basic nutrition, food safety, and experience in food service, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with dietary management software, tray line systems, and compliance with food handling regulations is typical. Strong communication, attention to detail, and empathy help you accurately address patient dietary needs and collaborate with healthcare teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring patients receive safe, appropriate meals that support their health and recovery.

What are common challenges faced by patient nutrition assistants, and how can they be addressed?

Patient Nutrition Assistants often encounter challenges such as balancing dietary restrictions with patient preferences, managing high volumes of meal orders, and ensuring clear communication with both patients and clinical staff. To address these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, be attentive to detail, and stay up to date on hospital dietary guidelines. Effective teamwork and proactive communication with dietitians and nursing staff can also help resolve issues quickly and ensure patients receive appropriate and enjoyable meals.

What is the difference between Patient Nutrition Assistant vs Diet Aide?

AspectPatient Nutrition AssistantDiet Aide
CertificationsTypically requires a nutrition-related certification or trainingMay require basic food service or dietary aide certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, long-term care facilitiesHospitals, nursing homes, food service settings
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with patient meal planning, monitoring intake, supporting diet ordersPreparing and serving meals, assisting with food service tasks

The Patient Nutrition Assistant primarily focuses on supporting patient-specific dietary needs and monitoring intake within healthcare settings, often requiring specialized nutrition knowledge. In contrast, the Diet Aide typically handles food preparation and service tasks in various food service environments. While both roles involve working in healthcare or food service settings, the Patient Nutrition Assistant has a more clinical focus on patient care related to nutrition.

What do you need to become a patient nutrition assistant?

To become a patient nutrition assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and may require certification in nutrition or food service. Relevant skills include communication, basic knowledge of nutrition, and the ability to follow dietary plans. Some positions may also require experience in healthcare or food preparation environments.

What are popular job titles related to Patient Nutrition Assistant jobs in Springfield, VA?

For Patient Nutrition Assistant jobs in Springfield, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Patient Nutrition Assistant jobs in Springfield, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Patient Nutrition Assistant jobs in Springfield, VA are:

What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Patient Nutrition Assistant jobs?

Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Patient Nutrition Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Patient Nutrition Assistant job openings in Springfield, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,721 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Dietetic Assistant I, PT Evening Shift, Nutrition Services

Adventist Healthcare

Fort Washington, MD • On-site

$18 - $22.79/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Adventist HealthCare rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 64 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

381st of 889 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Fort Washington Medical CenterIf you are a current Adventist HealthCare employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account.Fort Washington Medical Center seeks to hire an experienced Dietetic Assistant I for our Nutrition Services Team who will embrace our mission to extend God's care through the ministry of physical, mental, and spiritual healing.
As a Dietetic Assistant I you will:
Review and modify patient's menu selectins
Works tray line positions as assigned; cross-trains in all areas.
Update diet order changes which include adding new and removing discharges
Conduct Quality Control Audits
Attends in-services and training to obtain knowledge of diets/menus
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications include:
High School Diploma or GED
1-2 Years in hospital food service industry preferred
ServSafe preferred
Active American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required

Work Schedule:

  • Employment Type: Part-time
  • Hours per Week: 32 hrs/week

  • Typical Daily Schedule: Wed 12p-6:30p, Thurs 12p-6:30p, Fri 12p-6:30pm, Sat 12p-6:30p, Sun 12-6:30p

  • Shift Type: Evening

  • Weekend Requirements: Rotating Weekends

Pay Range:

$18.00 - $22.79

If the salary range is listed as $0 or if the position is Per Diem (with a fixed rate), salary discussions will take place during the screening process.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), this position is classified as:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

At Adventist HealthCare our job is to care for you.

We do this by offering:

  • Work life balance through nonrotating shifts

  • Recognition and rewards for professional expertise

  • Free Employee parking

  • Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents effective on your date of hire

  • Employer-paid Short & Long-Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance and AD&D, (short-term disability buy-up available)

  • Paid Time Off

  • Employer retirement contribution and match after 1-year of eligible employment with a 3-year vesting period

  • Voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts, legal plans, and life, pet, auto, home, long term care, and critical illness & accident insurance

  • Subsidized childcare at participating childcare centers

  • Tuition Reimbursement

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support

As a faith-based organization, with over a century of caring for the communities in the Maryland area, Adventist HealthCare has earned a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care. Adventist HealthCare was the first and is the largest healthcare provider in Montgomery County.
If you want to make a difference in someone's life every day, consider a position with a team of professionals who are doing just that, making a difference.


Join the Adventist HealthCare team today, apply now to be considered!

COVID-19 Vaccination

Adventist HealthCare strongly recommends all applicants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before commencing employment. Applicants may be required to furnish proof of vaccination.

Tobacco and Drug Statement

Tobacco use is a well-recognized preventable cause of death in the United States and an important public health issue. In order to promote and maintain a healthy work environment, Adventist HealthCare will not hire applicants for employment who either state that they are nicotine users or who test positive for nicotine and drug use.

While some jurisdictions, including Maryland, permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, marijuana continues to be classified as an illegal drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act. As a result, medical marijuana use will not be accepted as a valid explanation for a positive drug test result.

Adventist HealthCare will withdraw offers of employment to applicants who test positive for Cotinine (nicotine) and marijuana. Those testing positive are given the opportunity to re-apply in 90 days, if they can truthfully attest that they have not used any nicotine products in the past ninety (90) days and successfully pass follow-up testing. ("Nicotine products" include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, hookah, and nicotine replacement products (e.g., nicotine gum, nicotine patches, nicotine lozenges, etc.).

Equal Employment Opportunity
Adventist HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to attracting, engaging, and developing the best people to cultivate our mission-centric culture. Our goal is to have a welcoming, equitable, and safe place to work and grow for all employees, no matter their background. AHC does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy and related medical conditions, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Adventist HealthCare will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Adventist HealthCare is a religious organization as defined under applicable law; however, it will endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations for applicants' religious beliefs.

Applicants who wish to request accommodations for disabilities or religious belief should contact the Support Center HR Office.


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About Adventist HealthCare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a faith-based organization, with over a century of caring for the communities in the Maryland area, Adventist HealthCare has earned a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care. Adventist HealthCare was the first and is the largest healthcare provider in Montgomery County.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Gaithersburg, MD, US

Year founded

1907