Nutrition Assistant

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Hospital.

At Houston Methodist, the Nutrition Assistant position is responsible for educating patients on the dining services programs/process, serving as the initial point of contact for problem resolution, and ensuring dietary information is accurate. The role assists patients with menu selection specific to their physician‑prescribed diet order, ensures timely meal/tray delivery, and monitors feedback for selection and quality improvement. The Nutrition Assistant corrects issues relayed from patients to appropriate staff and communicates with peers and management regarding identified workplace hazards, following correct sanitation procedures.

This position follows all department policies and procedures and complies with local Food Ordinances.

Non‑exempt

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)

• One year of customer service or hospitality experience preferred

• Must have one of the following certifications:
  • Food Handlers Permit – Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
  • Certified Food Manager – Obtain in 90 days; once Food Service Manager Certification is obtained, Food Handler Permit is no longer required;
    Food Service Manager must be renewed every 5 years

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary to perform essential functions, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a manner consistent with customer service focus and positive language principles
• Possesses good communication skills and can work in a fast‑paced environment
• Demonstrates good judgment in professional decision‑making
• Skills to obtain and analyze pertinent information to make informed decisions
• Active listening skills, giving full attention to others
• Ability to take appropriate follow‑up action to ensure workload is processed and discrepancies resolved within established time frames

• Greets patients, using their name whenever possible, and educates them on dining services programs/process, specific to their physician‑prescribed diet order when available. Interacts positively, professionally with patients, family, and staff. Communicates clearly and professionally to nursing, interprofessional staff, and peers to promote work efforts and problem resolution.
• Serves as the first point of contact for all complaints involving patient food services. Follows through with resolving any problems and communicates to management when patient food service problems are identified.
• Communicates pertinent information, e.g., difficulty eating, poor appetite, nourishment concerns, formula usage, requests to see the Dietitian, etc., to ensure proper handling and processing of information.
• Contributes toward improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer‑to‑peer accountability.

• Assures that all new admits receive information regarding the operation of the dining services program and their prescribed diets. Assists and accommodates patients, as needed, with information regarding their diets, e.g., answering questions about menu selections, placing their order using computerized software, meal ordering directions and problems, etc. Distributes tube feedings, nourishment/supplements, fruit baskets, and birthday cakes, when ordered, to patients at assigned times.
• Identifies menu items and describes every item on the menu, responding to inquiries regarding taste and ingredients, as appropriate.
• Checks the tray for accuracy and presentation prior to delivering to the…