Senior Food Service Worker - Nutrition Services - Temporary - Full Time - Bilingual (English/Spanish

Kern Medical has been a foundational healthcare institution since its establishment in 1867, making it one of the long-standing pillars in the Kern County community. Today, Kern Medical operates as an acute care teaching hospital with 222 beds and stands out by providing the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. This unique positioning highlights its critical role in the region's healthcare system, offering both emergency and routine care that caters to a diverse patient demographic. The hospital is equipped with an extensive network of outpatient clinics and delivers a wide range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services. These include high-risk pregnancy care and inpatient psychiatric services that are closely integrated with county mental health programs, reflecting Kern Medical's commitment to comprehensive healthcare that addresses both physical and mental health needs. Annually, the hospital handles approximately 15,500 inpatient cases and serves 125,000 clinic patients, underscoring its significance as a major healthcare provider in the area.

The role of Senior Food Service Worker at Kern Medical is a temporary, extra-help employment position, typically lasting up to nine months. This role is essential in supporting the hospital's food service operations, which are crucial for patient care and recovery. Those hired in this position can expect an estimated pay range from $19.8853 to $26.7242 per hour, which may be supplemented by differentials, incentives, or bonuses depending on classification and shift. The Senior Food Service Worker is considered a specialty diet experienced level within the Food Service Worker series and reports directly to the Food Service Director. The key responsibility is to oversee and maintain the institution’s kitchen operations, particularly managing the tray line setup and ensuring that patient dietary orders are correctly prepared and delivered. This includes maintaining accuracy in dietary cards, especially for high-risk food trays, supporting Food Service Workers, and auditing unit kitchens to ensure safety and sanitation standards are met. Additionally, this role involves preparing snacks, monitoring floor stocks, and keeping Food Service Worker cleaning logs up to date.

Employees in this position must adhere strictly to hospital policies as well as federal, state, and local regulations that govern health and safety in food service environments. Kern Medical values a high standard of professionalism, safety, and patient-centered care, and this role is pivotal in maintaining those standards within dietary services. Employees are also designated as Disaster Service Workers, meaning they must be willing and prepared to report to work during emergencies, underscoring the critical role of every staff member in the continuous operation of Kern Medical. Overall, the Senior Food Service Worker plays a vital role in maintaining the quality and safety of food services that directly affect patient satisfaction and recovery, making this an impactful and rewarding position within Kern Medical's comprehensive healthcare team.