Catering Associate

The salary range for this position is $ $20.15 (Hourly Rate)

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

• Part-time Hours: 24 Hours Per Week
• Evening Shift: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM or from 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Works Every Weekend and Works Holidays)
• Location: Feinberg/Galter; FL BS
• Union Hourly Compensation (non-negotiable): $20.15 per hour (+ $0.97/hour for shift pay differential). The role is graded as a non-exempt position meaning you are eligible for overtime.
• Benefits Eligible Role: New employees are eligible for benefits to begin on the first of the month following their start date. Our 2025 Benefits Summary is attached for your reference.

The Catering Associate reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Catering Associate supports the Department of Food & Nutrition by providing patient meal service to include: patient menu selection, tray assembly and delivery and retrieval of patient trays. This role is responsible for timeliness, accuracy and the safe food handling of trays and items to designated patient care areas. The Catering Associate supports service excellence standard to include but not limited to patient satisfaction rounds, service recovery and excellent communication with management team to ensure patient satisfaction. The Catering Associate is expected to adhere to and practice guidelines in regards to Best Patient Experience Philosophy.

Responsibilities:

• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions such as policies and procedures
• Performs a variety of work and follows procedures consisting of several steps or that require judgment in completing a sequence of tasks
• Must be able to read and comprehend patient menus
• Takes patients menu selections prior to each meal
• Adheres to diet and allergy restrictions for patient food orders
• Must be knowledgeable of diet restrictions and comfortably answer questions
• Offers alternatives to menu allowed on prescribed diet in accordance with allergies, sensitivities, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences when patient inquires or needs additional selections (following provided guidelines)
• Assembles trays according to patients menu on ticket in a timely and accurate manner
• Follows tray presentation and condiment standards
• Serves and retrieves patient trays from patient rooms in a courteous and professional manner
• Accurately delivers trays to patients and visitors according to established procedures
• Conducts Catering Rounds as instructed to ensure patient satisfaction
• Must display a "Can-Do" - Service Excellence mindset
• Follows facility and departmental infection control policies and procedures
• Retrieves trays within one hour of service
• Observes HIPAA and Patient Identification guidelines
• Must be able to work safely; moving carts, observing Security procedures, proper utilization of elevator
• Cleans and sanitizes coffee carts daily
• Performs assigned tasks efficiently during meal service to maintain accurate and expeditious service.
• Exhibits pleasant and cheerful demeanor and maintains a helpful attitude towards employees, physicians, nursing staff, patients and visitors
• Communicates any patient related problems/concerns to appropriate personnel, in a timely manner following departmental procedures
• Follows established food-handling practices to maintain food safety standards and comply with infection control procedures
• Delivers floor stock daily according to pars
• Completes daily documentation of floor stock, tray and other floor deliveries accurately for accounting and quality purposes
• Rotates floor stock according to food safety procedures
• Documents refrigeration temperatures daily in patient pantries that contain floor stock
• Maintains galleys in safe, clean and organized manner
• Operates equipment properly, safely and efficiently according to established procedures
• Reports all damaged and unsafe equipment to management
• Completes all assigned cleaning by end of each work shift to include but not limited to detailed cleaning
• Cleans assigned areas and equipment according to standards and utilization of proper cleaning chemicals
• Maintains work station area in clean and orderly manner
• Completes routine projects or detail cleaning duties as assigned
• Attends department in-services and meetings
• Completes Hospital required training and surveys
• May assist in Dishroom, Servers as needed
• Follow established break schedule unless otherwise directed by manager
• Maintains supplies and equipment to ensure efficiency, including portioning, dating, and storage of food
• Maintains established levels of supplies for work area
• Notifies management of workload status and availability for additional assignments or need of additional assistance
• Assists in the orientation of new employees in the department by demonstrating basic duties of job
• Responds to management requests in a positive and timely manner
• Performs other duties as assigned

AA/EOE.

Qualifications

Required:

• Two years of service experience
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Maintains positive and friendly manner during peak service times with focus on timeliness, accuracy and Service Excellence
• Complete Catering to You Training modules and pass competency test

Preferred:

• High School Graduate or GED
• Food Handling Certification Health Department – City of Chicago

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.