Food Service Attend III - Food Service Department, Part-time, Evenings

As a Food Service Attendant III at Northwestern Medicine, your primary responsibilities include performing food service tasks and maintaining sanitation standards within the Food Service Department. You'll help prepare, serve, and clean food items, operate food service equipment, transport meals to patients, and uphold customer service standards. This role is vital for ensuring that our patients receive their meals safely and efficiently.

To qualify for the Food Service Attendant III position at Northwestern Medicine, you should ideally have a high school diploma or GED and previous food service experience, especially in a healthcare setting. Familiarity with food safety regulations and a Chicago Sanitation Certification are also preferred. Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential to succeed in this role.

The Food Service Attendant III position at Northwestern Medicine is a part-time role requiring 24 hours of work per week. The evening shift typically runs from 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM or 3:30 PM - 10:00 PM and includes weekend and holiday shifts, which are essential for providing continuous service to patients.

A successful Food Service Attendant III at Northwestern Medicine will possess excellent interpersonal skills, a strong ability to follow both written and oral instructions, and a keen awareness of safety and sanitation protocols. Being a team player with a positive attitude is crucial, as you'll be interacting with patients and team members frequently.

At Northwestern Medicine, Food Service Attendants III can expect to receive a range of competitive benefits. These include tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness programs, 401(k) matching, and various lifecycle benefits. We're dedicated to taking care of our employees, ensuring that you have the support you need both professionally and personally.

When prioritizing tasks as a Food Service Attendant III, consider urgent responsibilities like serving meals promptly to patients while maintaining cleanliness in the work area. Organize your duties based on meal service times and any special requests, ensuring that you stay on track while adhering to safety and sanitation guidelines.

When asked about ensuring high sanitation standards, provide a specific example from previous experiences. Discuss how you followed protocols, such as regularly cleaning surfaces, properly storing food, and diligently using personal protective equipment to ensure a safe food environment. This demonstrates your commitment to safety in food preparation.

Highlight any specific equipment you've worked with, such as dishwashers, food dispensers, or cooking appliances. Mention your ability to follow operational guidelines for each, as well as your understanding of safety procedures to ensure proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

Addressing difficult customers requires patience and empathy. Share an experience where you remained calm and actively listened to their concerns. Emphasize your commitment to resolving issues while upholding service standards, ensuring that every interaction is positive and respectful.

Discuss how teamwork is critical in the Food Service Department. Emphasize the importance of communicating effectively with colleagues, supporting one another during peak hours, and collaborating to maintain high-quality service and efficient operations, which ultimately benefits the patient experience.

Explain the significance of adhering to established food safety standards to prevent contamination and ensure patient health. Mention your familiarity with guidelines, temperature checks, and proper storage methods, showing that you understand the gravity of food safety in a healthcare environment.

Share strategies for managing the physical demands of the job, such as staying organized, taking regular breaks when allowed, and using proper lifting techniques to avoid injury. This demonstrates your awareness of remaining healthy while efficiently performing your duties.

Discuss your passion for serving others and contributing to the well-being of patients. Emphasize how working in a food service role at a healthcare facility allows you to make a significant impact on patients' experiences, making your work fulfilling and rewarding.

Provide details about your understanding of portion control guidelines and the importance of adhering to them to maintain consistency and nutrition standards. Mention techniques you've used in the past, such as using measuring tools or training new staff on portion sizes to ensure compliance.

Effective communication is key in a food service environment. Discuss how you actively listen to kitchen staff and patients, confirm orders to avoid errors, and utilize visual aids or verbal repetition when necessary. Highlight your ability to adapt your communication style based on the audience, ensuring successful interactions.