Food Service Worker I - 100% - North Liberty Hospital

University of Iowa Health Care is a renowned academic medical center committed to advancing healthcare excellence through clinical care, education, and research. Their Medical Center North Liberty campus is a state-of-the-art 469,000-square-foot facility that serves as the home to the nationally recognized Orthopedics service line. This innovative campus offers coordinated, comprehensive care spanning outpatient, inpatient, and surgical settings. Beyond orthopedic care, the center houses a community imaging center, laboratory services, physical therapy, a retail pharmacy, an emergency department, and numerous support services. The campus is designed to provide an exceptional experience for patients and staff alike, driving high standards in medical care and fostering strong community partnerships.

The Food Service Worker I position at the University of Iowa Health Care's Medical Center North Liberty department of Food and Nutrition plays a vital role in supporting the healthcare team's mission by ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality food preparation and service in a hospital environment. This role operates under direct supervision to perform a variety of tasks related to food preparation and service, as well as cleaning duties. It is a full-time, hourly position with a competitive wage range starting at $17.66 per hour, with shifts scheduled as five 8-hour shifts weekly from 12 pm to 8:30 pm, including rotating weekends.

Food Service Workers are responsible for assisting with food preparation by opening containers, weighing, measuring, and combining ingredients as specified by menu requirements. They support the culinary team by cutting, slicing, grating, or peeling vegetables and fruits, as well as chopping, grinding, or slicing meats. Additionally, these workers assemble and prepare salads and perform simple cooking tasks, contributing to the overall meal preparation process.

In the service aspect of the role, Food Service Workers set up food and equipment for cafeteria and tray line service. They assemble trays for modified and general diets, transport food, dishes, and supplies to service areas, and replenish these as necessary throughout meal service. They also manage vending machines by stocking, cleaning, and performing minor adjustments. Food Service Workers are tasked with dishing up and serving food in hospital units or designated dining areas following established standards and quantities. They serve meal trays and nourishment to inpatients, ensuring accuracy and presentation, and address patient comments appropriately.

Cleaning and sanitation are critical components of the position as well. The Food Service Worker performs sanitation duties across the serving, dining, and kitchen areas, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. They return trays, dishes, and utensils to the kitchen for cleaning and handle the proper labeling and storage of food post-service. Additionally, they serve as checkers during meal service, processing meal tickets, and accepting payments or special tickets. This helps maintain accurate records of food consumption and the number of persons served.

The role requires physical capabilities such as lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, and standing for extended periods. It demands the ability to follow oral and written instructions and requires basic math skills, including counting and performing arithmetic operations. Maintaining effective working relationships within a collaborative team environment is essential. The position may also involve assisting in on-the-job training of new employees and students within the food service unit.

Overall, this Food Service Worker I position is ideal for individuals seeking to contribute meaningfully within a healthcare setting while ensuring patients receive nutritious, well-prepared meals. The role offers a chance to be part of a respected institution dedicated to changing medicine and changing lives through innovative care and community-focused services.