Food Service Worker

Position Overview

The Food Service Worker is responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of meals and beverages to patients, visitors, and staff while maintaining a clean and safe kitchen and dining environment. This role includes meal service-related tasks such as timely assembly, final preparation, delivery of nutritionally appropriate and attractive meals, and dishwashing as needed. The Food Service Worker practices proper food handling techniques and provides top-quality customer service in all interactions.

The Food Service Worker adheres to the standards of behavior set by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS), aligning with the strategic vision, mission, and values of the organization. They demonstrate compassion and respect for the dignity, worth, identity, and unique attributes of each individual.

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Starting compensation ranges from $15.00 /hour.

The Perks and Benefits

• Collaborative environment: Work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who share a passion for delivering high-quality care.
• Professional development: We offer ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement, including tuition reimbursement and participation in our progressive Career Pathways Program.
• Impactful work: Help ensure patient safety and contribute directly to positive patient outcomes in our community.
• Location perks: Boone, North Carolina, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offers exceptional outdoor activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. Enjoy great shopping, fine dining, breweries, wineries, and cultural attractions in Boone, Blowing Rock, and Linville.
• Top-tier community: Boone boasts a top-rated North Carolina public school system and is home to Appalachian State University. Recognized as a top destination by Forbes, Southern Living, and Niche, Boone is ideal for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
• Compensation is commensurate upon education & experience – range is $15.00 /hour or more (depending on education & experience). Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.
• Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance options include short- and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, and legal insurance.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund, as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off – front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) – paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. A cash-out option is also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave – qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child, to be taken consecutively.
• Employee wellness program – Love Your Life – award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees. Employees enrolled on the organization's health plan can enroll with our health screening (biometrics and labs) and earn program incentives. Employees who are not enrolled on the organization's health plan can participate in online wellness activities for a chance to earn quarterly prize drawings.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program – Caring for our own. A program solely funded by voluntary employee donations to assist co-workers experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
• Additional employee perks include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).
• Take a virtual tour of our new Schaefer Family Patient Care Tower by clicking here.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the timely assembly, preparation, and delivery of meals to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in the kitchen and dining areas.
• Assist in food handling and preparation while adhering to food safety regulations.
• Provide excellent customer service in all interactions.
• Perform dishwashing and sanitation tasks as needed.
• Follow ARHS policies and safety standards while ensuring a quality dining experience.

Position Requirements

Minimum Education:

• High school diploma or GED is preferred, but not required.

Experience:

• Prior experience in a food service or healthcare setting preferred.

Required Registration/License/Certification:

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of food safety regulations and guidelines.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to patients, families, staff, and physicians.
• Basic computer literacy, including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, and nutritional analysis software.
• Willingness to work as a dishwasher when needed.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to collaborate effectively.

Physical Demands

• Lifting, positioning, pushing, pulling, and/or transferring up to and greater than 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity and mobility required.
• Prolonged, extensive, or considerable sitting, standing, and walking.
• Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, and turning.
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.

Working Conditions

• Regular exposure to the risk of bloodborne diseases.
• Subject to irregular hours, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Continuous standing and walking for periods equal to or greater than 8 hours per shift.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling over 50 lbs per shift.
• Frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, turning, and reaching.
• Frequent hand, finger, and wrist repetition with moderate dexterity.
• Frequent exposure to soft voices at distances greater than 3 feet.
• Frequent close eye work.

About UNC Health Appalachian 
It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.”
 

About UNC Health 
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.
 

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact arhsrecruitment@unchealth.unc.edu.

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