General Summary of Position Under the direct supervision of the clinical dieticians and the Director, the Hospitality Assistants (HA) will perform exceptional patient food services duties associated with nutritional care and menu selection for all the patients food service related needs. Supports the patient meal tray line. Assists patients with menu selection(s) on assigned unit (s). Assembles meal tray carts for patient care units and delivers and retrieves patient meals trays to patient rooms. Provides clerical support to the dietary office.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Assembles tray carts for lunch and dinner meal trays for patient care units utilizing information from patient selection(s) and the patient's diet orders.

Delivers menus to the patient rooms. Explains his/her role to the patients. Explain the menu to the patients. Offers suggestions. Deliver any special items/request to the patients.

Delivers trays to the patient room. Replaces missing items and offers alternative menu selections. Makes sure every patient receives a tray unless otherwise indicated (NPO, Isolation). Keep a list of any special requests made from the patients during their stay.

Retrieves meal tray(s) from the patients' rooms and patient care unit kitchen(s) ensuring that there are no patient personal items left on the tray and delivers to the kitchen. Breaks down cart and wash dishes. Clean and sanitize the food cart and have ready for the next meal. Works on tray line. Works in dish room.

Delivers menus to the patients on assigned unit(s), explains menu process to patient and assists the patient in completing menu selection(s) ensuring that the proper condiments are noted for the selections the patient has made. Recommends selections or offers alternative selections when the patient does not select from the menu. Ensures every patient has been contacted.

Check for new admissions or diet changes for assigned unit(s), takes those menus back to the patient floor, and returns to dietary office with completed menus. Prepare tally for the cooks and cold production.

Completes request for and delivers late trays/meals, discharged trays, guest trays, and isolation trays, securing appropriate unit nursing staff sign-off prior to delivery to patient.

Ensures solid utility carts are brought down to the kitchen, break down, clean and sanitize. Conduct daily patient surveys. Must complete at least 35 surveys per month.

Provides clerical support to the dietary office, including answering the telephone and following-up on requests and problems communicated by the unit-based Hospitality team.

Produces standard computer reports, including meal tallies, dietary orders, nourishment labels, and patient menus using the computer system. Enters patient selection(s) and appropriate special food preferences (for patients on therapeutic diets).

Attends and may assist in departmental in-services.

Must follow hospital patient confidentiality. Can work any position in the kitchen and tray line.

Provides outstanding customer service to all patients regardless of physical incapacitation. Resolves if possible, any and all patient dissatisfactions and update the Director of Dietary.

Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible and courteous environment.

Performs work of equal skill and responsibility as directed. May also perform work of lesser or greater responsibility as the work load of the department requires.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

• High School Diploma or GED preferred and
• 1 year of technical or other specialized training, including successful completion of a department inservice training program within the first thirty days of employment, including, but not limited to, diet restrictions and therapeutic diets. required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to comprehend and follow the policies and procedures for MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
• Ability to read, write and speak or communicate in English to successfully accomplish the essential duties of the position
• Ability to demonstrate ethical behavior that supports the hospital's mission, SPIRIT Values and commitment to compliance with all federal, state and regulatory laws. Inspires trust and exhibits honesty and integrity within the scope of daily activities.
• Exhibits professionalism, courtesy and excellent customer service, while interacting with patients, guests and co-workers.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality.
• Ability to attend all required safety training programs and can describe responsibilities related to general safety, department safety, and specific job-related hazards.
• Ability to present professional, neat, clean and appropriate attire for the work environment.
• Ability to report to work on time and meet acceptable standards of attendance.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to utilize the following equipment; dish washing machine, blender, hot steam tables, refrigerators, hot and cold holding units, and various utensils.
• Knowledge of grammar, arithmetic including fractions and decimals.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer, printer, calculator, phone, copier, and fax machine.

This position has a hiring range of $17.5 - $28.73