Nutrition Assistant 11 hour weekends

Job Summary

Schedule: Saturday & Sunday, 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM. Under the supervision of the Registered Dietitian and Clinical Nutrition Manager, the Nutrition Assistant provides high-quality, personalized nutritional care to patients throughout their hospital stay. This role supports patient meal service operations, assists with menu selection and diet compliance, communicates with clinical and production teams, and helps ensure patients receive timely and appropriate nutrition.

Essential Functions

• Assist patients with menu selections that meet prescribed dietary restrictions and preferences.
• Review and adjust meal selections to ensure compliance with physician, dietitian, and nursing instructions.
• Monitor meal service to ensure patients receive appropriate nourishment and notify nursing staff of concerns.
• Complete regular and therapeutic diet menus according to established standards of care.
• Conduct meal rounds and tray assessments to evaluate patient satisfaction and nutritional needs.
• Record and monitor calorie counts and dietary intake as assigned.
• Order nutritional supplements and enteral nutrition products in accordance with department procedures.
• Deliver, collect, and set up patient meal trays in a timely and professional manner.
• Support tray line operations and assist food service staff as needed.
• Respond to patient, visitor, and staff inquiries via telephone and direct requests.
• Communicate effectively with clinical and production teams regarding patient needs, special meal requests, and diet education requirements.
• Address and resolve patient service issues and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Participate in department meetings, training sessions, in-services, and ongoing education opportunities.
• Maintain compliance with hospital policies, safety standards, and departmental procedures.
• Demonstrate initiative by identifying and completing tasks that support efficient department operations.

Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Experience: Previous healthcare experience, including patient interaction, preferred. Prior customer service experience, particularly involving telephone communication, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service and patient-centered care.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple phone lines and voicemail systems professionally.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to learn hospital software and systems.
• Ability to push and maneuver food carts safely.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.