Nutrition Assistant Lead

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.
CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies.
While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

Job Summary:

Leads the daily operations of Nutrition Assistants and nutrition support staff to assist in ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.  Participates in and supports all aspects of healthcare food service operations. Works with facility staff to provide optimal nutritional care and demonstrates excellent customer service to patients, guests and staff.  Follows diet manual handbook and diet spreadsheets to ensure therapeutic meal compliance with prescribed diet order.

Job Responsibilities:

• Ensures employees follow healthcare food service industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Ensures processes and standards are met to avoid cross contamination. Ensures employees adhere to hygiene, food labeling, and food storage standards and maintains tools and equipment according to regulations and facility guidelines.
• Leads food and nutrition service employees including ensuring menu and diet accuracy, proper meal portioning, presentation and delivery, patient discharge follow-up, etc. Provides direction and development to staff not adhering to policies and procedures.
• Oversees food preparation and service to ensure the guidelines of menu and dietary requirements are met. Maintains foundational knowledge of recipe ingredients and food allergies in order to respond appropriately to dietary questions and concerns. Assists team members in applying organizational procedures and protocols to reduce the occurrence of errors related to dietary guidelines.
• Trains new and existing employees to follow departmental policies and procedures. Assesses training progress and provides constructive feedback for improved performance. Supports leadership in employee performance reviews. Supports leadership in the training of nutrition services team members related to areas such as therapeutic diets, retail responsibilities and other departmental areas.

Experience/Education:

Four (4) years experience in food service; including two (2) years hospital nutrition experience.

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licensure:

Current (within the past 12 months) ServSafe® Allergen certification, as well as Food Handler certification: *Food Handler Certification must be from ServSafe®, or as required by state or local health code *Certification can be obtained within 30 days of hire, or as required by state or local health code Specific state and local food handler requirements: Washington State food Worker Card