Food and Nutrition Associate

Are you passionate about the patient experience? At HCA Healthcare, we are committed to caring for patients with purpose and integrity. We care like family! Jump-start your career as a Food and Nutrition Associate today with Heart Hospital of Austin.

Job Summary and Qualifications

This position performs the duties on the patient care unit, and is related to providing the patient with adequate nutritional intake under the direction/supervision of a Registered Dietician. The Food Service Associate II also ensures adequate supplies, proper storage of floor stocks, and the selection, distribution and pick up of the patient meals. This position also performs general food service duties that include preparation, storage and display of cold food items. The Food Service Associate II is also responsible for maintaining a clean supply of small equipment for production area and for maintaining a clean supply of dishes and utensils. Additional responsibilities include cleaning and sanitizing the meal delivery carts. 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Unit Support Specialist Responsibilities:

• Always greets patients courteously. 
• Assists patients in completing menu selections. 
• Assists in meal tray assembly. 
• Delivers meals to patient room promptly and removes trays upon completion of meal. 
• Assists in the preparation and delivery of late trays. 
• Uses proper infection control principles. 
• Observes patients’ needs for meals, snack and/or nourishments during rounds.
• Communicates regularly with the dietician on observations of patients eating habits and provides feedback as appropriate to nursing on issues as related to patient focus care. 
• Daily inventories unit pantries, replenishes floor stock to approved par level and rotates stock appropriately. 
• Cleans inside of refrigerators, microwaves and cabinets. 
• Records daily temperatures on pantry/pods refrigerator/freezer log & promptly takes action on any deviation to approved temperatures. 
• Assists in stocking tray line for tray preparation. 
• Assists in sanitation and cleaning duties as needed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned in the dietary department. 

2) Dietary Aide & Cold Food Prep Responsibilities: 

• Prepares food items, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages. 
• Places servings in blender to make foods for soft or liquid diets. 
• Apportions and places food servings on plate according to diet list for special selections and nourishments. 
• Pushes carts to halls or unit kitchen when necessary. 
• Washes dishes and cleans work area, tables and storerooms. 
• Collects and places garbage and trash in designated containers. 
• Cleans large and small equipment. 
• Assists with special functions and catering. 
• Procedures foodstuffs from refrigerators, freezers or other storage areas. 
• Maintains work area in a clean, neat and orderly manner. 

3) Staff/Unit Responsibilities 

• Demonstrates effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively, and asking pertinent questions. 
• Teamwork: interacts with fellow workers in a way that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment. 
• Uses resources in an efficient and cost effective manner. 
• Maintains and promotes a team spirit through active cooperation and collaboration. 
• Attends 80% of in-services and departmental meetings. 
• Help provide staff to other areas of the hospital when needed. 
• Participation in development of peers and other staff. 
• Keeps Team Leader informed of problems and recommends solutions. 
• Effectively prioritizes assignments. 
• Demonstrates a willingness to accept extra assignments. 

4) Professionalism

• Adheres to dress code, conduct and attendance policies. 
• Accepts both positive and negative constructive feedback. 
• Attends at least 80% of in-services and departmental meetings. 
• Demonstrates a supportive/positive attitude toward the hospital and fellow employees – is a positive team member. 
• Expresses self in an organized, comprehensive, articulate and concise manner. 

5) Initiative 

• Develops specific work plans and due dates. 
• Follows through on planned assignments within assigned timeframes. 
• Effectively prioritizes assignments. 
• Demonstrates a willingness to accept extra assignments. 
• Adjusts to change, work pressures or different situations without undue stress. 
• Demonstrates skill in developing improvements in work methods. 
• Effective in cost control and resource utilization. 

6) Key Relationships 

• Maintains positive relationships with internal customers. Is effective in interacting with and problem solving. 
• Maintains positive relationships with external customers. Is effective in interacting with and problem solving. 
• Proactive in meeting customer’s needs. Responds promptly to customer needs or requests. 
• Keeps Team Leader informed of problems, recommends solutions. 
• Participates in education/development of peers and other staff 

7) Annual Requirements 

• SDH Annual Education 
• Attendance Requirements 
• Adheres to Department Dress 
• Code Code of Conduct Refresher Course 
• Other 
• Annual Competency Training (if applicable) 
• BLS (if required) as per St. David’s Healthcare policy 
• ACLS (if required) as per St. David’s Healthcare policy 
• PALS (if required) as per St. David’s Healthcare policy

COMPETENCIES EXPECTED AND EVALUATED 

1. Performance and behaviors must be aligned with and support the St. David’s Healthcare 
• Mission, Vision, Values and GoalsMission: To provide exceptional care to every patient, every day with a spirit of warmth, friendliness and personal pride.
• Vision: To be the finest care and service organization in the world. 
• Values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence 
• Goals: Exceptional Care, Customer Loyalty and Financial Strength
2. Employees are expected to follow: 
• All hospital/departmental policies and procedures 
• All service excellence programs (AIDET, Key Words/Key Times, Hourly Rounding, Bedside Shift Report, etc.) 
• Ethics and Compliance Program 
• Values Commitment 
• Patient and Employee safety/security policies and protocols 
• Comply with all requirements of employment (license/certification, annual education, vaccine preventable diseases/annual flu requirements)

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED

• One year in food service or customer service area

EDUCATION PREFERRED

• High School Graduate/Equivalent

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Food Handler Permit

Benefits

Heart Hospital of Austin, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Heart Hospital of Austin, a proud member of St. David's HealthCare, stands as a leading 72-bed facility renowned for its exceptional performance in cardiovascular care. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the hospital provides a comprehensive 24-hour emergency department to address urgent health needs. With innovative programs like the Executive Wellness Program and the Advanced Heart Failure Program, including cutting-edge therapies such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and the left ventricular assist device (LVAD), patients receive world-class treatment. Boasting six operating rooms—three of which are hybrid—alongside three catheterization labs and expert electrophysiology services, Heart Hospital of Austin is equipped to handle complex cardiovascular cases effectively. With an impressive track record as a 12-year recipient of Merative's (formerly PINC AI) 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals award and recognition from Healthgrades as Texas's No. 1 cardiac program for six consecutive years, the hospital is a beacon of excellence. Additionally, it hosts one of the largest non-academic cardiovascular research programs globally, solidifying its commitment to advancing heart health for patients everywhere.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

"The great hospitals will always put the patient and the patient's family first, and the really great institutions will provide care with warmth, compassion, and dignity for the individual."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

If you are looking for an opportunity that provides satisfaction and personal growth, we encourage you to apply for our Food and Nutrition Associate opening. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Unlock the possibilities and apply today!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.