FOOD SERVICE ASSISTANT; PT, 2nd shift

As a Food Service Assistant at Advocate Health, your main responsibilities will include assembling patient meal trays according to dietary guidelines, delivering these trays to patient rooms, and maintaining the cleanliness of food service areas. You will also assist in preparing snacks and meals, serving visitors in the cafeteria, and managing cash register operations. This job is pivotal in ensuring a positive dining experience for patients and visitors alike.

No formal education or prior experience is required for the Food Service Assistant position at Aurora Medical Center Grafton. Advocate Health values enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Basic knowledge in food service or relevant customer service experience can be beneficial, but what matters most is your ability to communicate effectively and provide excellent service in a fast-paced environment.

The Food Service Assistant role at Advocate Health offers part-time hours, primarily scheduled for the 2nd shift. You will typically work every other weekend and holiday, with varied shifts that might range from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Flexibility in your availability for at least two weeknight shifts is also required to meet the department's needs.

For the Food Service Assistant position at Advocate Health, desirable skills include effective communication, basic food service knowledge, and strong customer service abilities. You'll need to follow safety protocols in food handling, understand dietary guidelines, and display a positive attitude towards teamwork. Intermediate computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office, are also beneficial for managing reports and correspondence.

Advocate Health is committed to its employees' growth and development. For Food Service Assistants, there are opportunities to learn new skills within the food service area, participate in training programs, and even advance into supervisory roles or other positions within the organization. Advocate Health promotes a culture of continuous improvement and support to help you thrive in your career.

Even though no specific experience is needed for the Food Service Assistant role, you should highlight any relevant exposure you've had, such as working in restaurants, cafes, or even volunteer experiences. Share instances where you helped in food preparation or customer service, emphasizing your ability to work in a team and follow guidelines.

Discuss your knowledge of food handling best practices. It's crucial to mention the importance of maintaining proper temperatures, cleanliness, and safe food storage. You might highlight previous experiences where you effectively followed sanitation protocols or coordinated a clean workspace during food service.

Approach this scenario with empathy and a focus on resolution. Acknowledge their concern, listen carefully, and assure them that you'll do your best to address the issue. Discuss how you'd take action, such as offering a replacement meal or informing a supervisor to ensure satisfaction.

Share examples of how you’ve successfully managed pressure in previous roles. Communicate your ability to prioritize tasks, remain calm, and collaborate with team members to ensure all responsibilities are met promptly—even during busy service periods.

Illustrate a specific experience where teamwork led to a successful outcome. You might mention how collaboration and communication helped accomplish tasks efficiently or improved the service quality, emphasizing the importance of everyone's contribution to success.

Explain a friendly approach to customer service. Mention that you would greet all visitors with a warm smile, offer assistance with their orders, maintain awareness of cleanliness, and ensure they have a pleasant dining experience at Advocate Health's cafeteria.

Discuss the importance of following dietary guidelines and portion control. Describe your method for organizing meal components, double-checking orders with documentation, and ensuring each tray meets set standards before delivery to patients.

As a Food Service Assistant, your role might involve multiple duties, so showcasing your adaptability to handle shifting priorities is essential.

Talk about your willingness to learn and follow safety protocols. If you have prior experience with specific kitchen equipment, mention it, but emphasize your understanding of the importance of training, as well as adhering to safety measures when operating various kitchen tools.

Express your enthusiasm for contributing to patient care and improving their experience through food service. You can mention Advocate Health's reputation in the community, your desire to work in a healthcare environment, and how you view this position as an opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive organization.