DIETARY UNIT CLERK
Req #: | 173254 |
Department: | HMC - NUTRITION SERVICES |
Job Location: | Harborview Medical Center |
Posting Date: | 10/15/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | $16.75 to $20.03 per hour |
Union Position: | Yes |
Shift: | First Shift |
HMC's NUTRITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT has an outstanding opportunity for an Hourly/Temporary, Day Shift, DIETARY UNIT CLERK position.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Room Service Ambassador is part of the multi-disciplinary team to provide food, service, and nutritional care to Harborview’s patients. They evaluate the patient’s ability to access and function in the Room Service Dining program, present menus, and instruct patients and families on the meal ordering process. The Ambassadors take bedside orders, assist patient in ordering, serve meals and nourishment's, and work with patients, families and friends, nursing staff and other personnel to assure accurate, safe, and timely delivery of meals in warm and caring manor. Ambassador has knowledge of patient care communication channels, guest relations and infection control, different diet orders, and is able to direct patients to choose foods within diet orders. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
Patient Centered Care:
• Following the established script for room service ordering process, presents and instructs patients and families on the use of the menu and meal ordering process
• Evaluates patients’ ability to participate in the Room Service Program and determines if intervention is needed
• Asks patients for food allergies or aversions, and if they have any special dietary needs (e.g. Kosher)
• Guarantees that all patients requiring meal service receive service; calls Supervisor to strategize service for challenging situations
Whenever entering a patient’s room:
• Knocks, identifies department and asks permission to enter
• Introduces self-using AIDET (acknowledge, introduce, duration, explanation, thank you)
• Uses two patient identifiers prior to all meal/food delivery
• Guarantees correct meal/diet type is delivered to the patient
• Works closely with Dietitians, Nursing, Health Care team members, Call Center, other Ambassadors and Supervisors
• Immediately informs Dietitian of food allergies, special concerns or needs
• Informs Call Center of food allergies and concerns to be recorded in CBORD
• Prior to meal service, assures diet order is accurate and complies with most recent physician order; collaborates with patient care team to assure this accuracy e.g. PSS, Charge Nurse
• All interactions with patient care area staff, department members and other staff are positive and collaborative in nature and reflect the intent of the department mission statement
• Documents pertinent patient information for communication with other Ambassadors regarding patient meal status
Meal Delivery and Pick-up:
• Deliver meals to patients
• Resolve any obstacles that prevent patients from eating their food while it is hot
• Position bedside table in front of patient unless requested to do otherwise by patient care staff or patient; never leaves meal beyond reach unless instructed to do so
• If not able to properly position meal tray, alerts patient care staff regarding patients needing assistance with positioning so as to maintain hot meal service
• When delivering trays for patients on insulin, inform PSS of tray delivery to ensure patient receives their medication prior to eating
• Deliver standard and contact precaution meals to patient bedside according to procedure
• Delivers airborne and droplet precaution meals according to procedure
• Follows department policies and procedures for food safety and sanitation, complies with infection control policies and hand hygiene procedures
• Follow up and respond to any patient requests regarding meal services
• Pick up all patient dirty trays in a timely manner: Checks back between meals to make sure all dirty trays are removed from the patient rooms as soon as possible after meal is consumed (e.g. 30 – 60 minutes after delivering tray)
• Ensures all dirty trays are delivered back to kitchen either by transporter or by self
Pantries:
• Inventory and deliver floor pantry supply
• Checks for expiration dates on all pantry items, prates First In First Out (FIFO) to maize waste
• Maintain cleanliness of pantries including surfaces, refrigerator and freezer, toaster
• Rotates all perishable items in the pantry using “First In, First Out” principle
• For food brought in from home by patient’s family: Assures all food is labeled with patient name and date, food is packaged in a sanitary manner and is not a cross-contamination risk, and discards all patient’s food older than 2 days
Cleaning Responsibilities:
• Perform routine cleaning duties as assigned
• Participate in other cleaning duties as assigned by supervisors
Expeditor Responsibilities:
• Follows proper hand hygiene, and safe food handling practices
• Check trays for accuracy
• Read tickets, add missed items including but not limited to: dishing hot cereals, muffins, broth, soup, beverages, and desserts when needed
• Assist in stocking station with bowls, lids, small plates, extra condiments, beverages, etc.
• Advance trays on Tray Monitor
• Load trays as needed
• Work closely and have open communication with supervisors, chef, cook, starter, beverage person, loader, and transporters
WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND EQUIPMENT USAGE:
Working Conditions:
• Exposure to patient food tray waste
• Exposure to wet areas and noise in the main kitchen
• Potential exposure to airborne infections disease from patients
• Exposure to cleaning and sanitizing solutions
• Schedule includes working as a Call Center Clerk every other week for Ambassadors #1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13
• Must have ability to flex into a Call Center Clerk or Expeditor as needed
Physical Demands:
• Continuous moving about work area
• Constant standing on feet eight hours per day
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching overhead, and pushing/pulling carts up to 25 pounds unassisted
• Lifting, lifting/pushing overhead up to 25 pounds unassisted
• Lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds unassisted
• Clear, audible speaking
• Correctable vision to size 12 type
• Ability to hear normal speaking level
Equipment:
• Tray transport carts
• Computer, printer, telephones, cell phones, tablet
• Coffee maker and air pots
• Automated juice, hot chocolate machine, and espresso machine
• Refrigerators, freezers, toasters, microwaves, steam tables, pellet heater
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Food Handlers Permit within one week of hire
REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
• High school diploma or GED and one year experience as a Dietary Aide in a health care facility or equivalent
• One year additional experience may substitute for the educational requirement
• Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration
DESIRED:
Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently
• Ability to learn new computer applications and programs quickly and accurately
• Must have critical thinking skills to appropriately diagnose and respond to service recovery opportunities
• Ability to initiate work, tasks, goals independent of supervisor
• Comprehensive knowledge in different diet types and diet orders
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.