Food Service Associate (Labor Pool)

Opening in early 2026, Riverside Smithfield Hospital brought high-quality healthcare closer to home for Isle of Wight County residents.  Located on a beautifully landscaped 27-acre medical campus at 19339 Benn’s Grant Boulevard in Smithfield, the new hospital provides modern facilities and comprehensive medical services to meet the growing needs of the community.

The 200,000-square-foot, three-story facility offers a range of essential healthcare services including an Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging Services, 38 Medical/Surgical beds, 12 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and 4 Operating Rooms.  Join our team and be a part of an exciting opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in Smithfield, delivering compassionate, patient-centered care in a state-of-the-art environment.

Hours: Labor Pool (as needed)

Overview
The Food Services Associate is responsible for preparing and serving foods to patients, visitors and hospital team members. Will demonstrate knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards. Promotes and maintains safe work environment for staff as well as our customers.

What you will do

• Complete food preparation following recipes/techniques as designated on production worksheets and in compliance with regulatory guidelines and Food & Nutrition Services policy/procedures. Demonstrate the competence to complete prep work, including but not limited to slicing lunch meat, chopping fruits & vegetables, preparing salads and sandwiches. Complete meal service ensuring proper portion control and plate presentation.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow therapeutic menus to ensure patients receive consistent, competent, and quality nutritional care within their diet therapy guidelines and as ordered by the physician. Accurately assemble patient tray based on the patient/resident specific tray ticket or tray card (as applicable), ensuring accuracy to diet order and allergy restrictions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of food safety, infection control, and sanitation regulatory compliance requirements and Food & Nutrition Service policy/procedures. Consistently comply with temperature, quality, sanitation & storage at all key steps in the food production process. Actively use the FIFO (First-in/First-out) system to ensure that food items that are already in stock are used first to control food waste. Label & date all product according to policy and alerts management of any discrepancies to the norm.
• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with patients and patient families so that patients and their families perceive positive patient care from the hospital. Demonstrate positive communication with internal customers (physicians, team members, etc.). Demonstrate flexibility and reliability when meeting the needs of the customer.
• Demonstrate the ability to use time effectively and during periods of heavy workload, is able to aid other workers in the completion of their work. Ensure completion of all assigned cleaning tasks, as noted in job work flows and posted assignment sheets, prior to end of shift. Alert supervisor/manager when unable to complete tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, (Preferred)

Experience

• 1 year Prior food service experience, preferably in a healthcare facility (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications

• Allergen Awareness Certification - VA State - ANSI-approved Allergen Awareness certificate program within 180 Days(Required)
• Food Handlers Card (FH) - VA State - ANSI-approved Food Handlers certificate program within 30 Days(Required) or
• Food Protection Manager - VA State - ANSI approved Food Protection Manager Certification - VA State (Required)

To learn more about being a team member with Riverside Health System visit us at https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.