Food Service Worker

To work in the hospital as a food services worker, you may need a high school diploma or GED.

Little or no previous work-related experience is needed for these positions and training is usually on-the-job, provided by employer.

Successful job performance is dependent on following instructions and helping others.

• Wash, peel and cut various foods, such as fruits and vegetables to prepare for cooking or serving.

• Portion and wrap food or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.

• Place food servings on plates or trays for delivery to patients in accordance with orders or instructions.

• Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.

• Load trays with accessories such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.

• Examine meal trays to ensure that they contain required items.

• Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment or facilities.

• Place food trays under food warmers for immediate service or store in refrigerated storage containers.

• Knowledge and use of standard food preparation tools such as measuring instruments and containers.

• Knowledge and use of standard commercial kitchen appliances such as blenders, food choppers, cubers, or dicers; and beverage dispensers.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service/patient care.

• Ability to give full attention to what others are saying and taking time to understand.

• Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble very small objects.