Food Services Assistant, Food & Nutrition Services

At Houston Methodist the Food Services Assistant (FSA) position is responsible for performing a variety of duties in the kitchen patient tray line and/or retail areas such as assisting in tray assembly for patients simple food preparation serving customers and set up to include replenishing stations. This position transports food carts to and from kitchen areas to patient care units and/or conference rooms in a timely manner and will perform dishwashing duties as assigned. The FSA position communicates with peers and management regarding identified hazards in the work place following correct procedures in cleaning of equipment and sanitation of work areas along with special cleaning as assigned. This position follows all departmental policies and procedures and complies with relevant local Food Ordinances.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental Scope of Service and Provision of Care plans as applicable for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional ethical physical and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth dignity and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET Managing Up Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees experiential journeys to ensure strong communication ease of access to information and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organizations vision fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Interacts in a positive professional manner with patients visitors and staff. Communicates clearly and professionally to promote both work efforts and problem resolution. Works in conjunction with the Patient Services Catering Retail Services and Production staff as part of a team ensuring each delivery is accurately prepared and on time.

• Follows through with resolving problems as they arise and provides leadership with a full report when issues are identified.

• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement i.e. peertopeer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares and serves simple food items as directed by production sheet or menu.

• Delivers trays with accuracy and efficiency to designated locations to achieve established time frame for room service or traditional service meal delivery. Assists with assembling of trays on trayline as needed. Works in the dish room as assigned.

• Transports pantry supplies garbage cardboard and supplies to designated areas. Maintains clean orderly storage areas with all food items.

• Retrieves soiled trays returns carts in a timely manner to appropriate location.

• Performs patient tray setup and ensures all supplies stocked for patient tray line each meal period.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows proper procedure in loading and transporting of food delivery carts to prevent spillage and delay of meal delivery to the patient. Accurately maintains food cart delivery log.

• Ensures food served is presented attractively and is held at the proper temperature. Follows all relevant local Food Ordinances including but not limited to labeling and dating food properly to ensure freshness properly rotates food items and ensures all food beyond the expiration date is discarded. Ensures the service area is clean and sanitized.

• Follows the menu paying close attention to details. Reviews menus in advance to ensure supplies are inhouse. Utilizes down time for preparation of setups to ensure menus are ready at the specified time.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Minimizes food waste through portion control and ensures proper use and storage of food supplies and equipment to reduce departmental cost and expenses.

• Utilizes resources with costeffectiveness and value creation in mind. Selfmotivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Generates and communicates new ideas and suggestions that will improve quality or service.

• Seeks opportunities to identify selfdevelopment needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) on an ongoing basis.

This job description is not intended to be allinclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED verification of homeschool equivalency partial or full completion of postsecondary education etc.) preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in a food service environment or large service establishment preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Food Handlers Permit Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job determined through ongoing skills competency assessments and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking reading and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients physicians family members and coworkers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Working knowledge of Serve Safe guidelines and Health department standards

• Knowledge of food service equipment and sanitation principles

• Demonstrates active listening skills giving full attention to what other people are saying

• Knowledge of kitchen equipment

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform Yes
• Scrubs No
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ONCALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be oncall during emergencies (ie. DIsaster Severe Weather Events etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital located 35 miles east of Houston is the areas only fullservice hospital offering specialized medical care for patients at every stage in life. This 230licensed bed hospital with 15 operating rooms and over 1700 employees brings Medical Center excellence and quality care close to East Harris and surrounding counties.