What does this job look like at AHS?

Food service workers perform a variety of duties. They assist with food preparation, portioning, packaging and serving. Working in the Nutrition and Food Services department, they clean surfaces and equipment, assemble and disassemble food trays, as well as deliver and pickup food and food trays to patients. They may also provide dining room style meal service to residents. Food service workers interact with people. That’s why it’s important they have a pleasant and helpful attitude.

Because food service workers handle food, they need to maintain a clean and tidy appearance. They must also adhere to safety, sanitation and food preparation standards. As part of their duties, food service workers may operate a cash register, make change for food purchases and perform customer service duties. They often handle kitchen wares and operate power kitchen equipment, such as dishwashers. They may also be responsible for setup, delivery and takedown of catering orders.

Food service workers work in all AHS facilities where food is prepared and served. They work as part of a team that can include other food service workers, cooks, supervisors, managers, dieticians and others, depending on the size and type of facility. They may also interact with patients, Nutrition and Food Services customers and health care professionals.

Food service workers may work full-time or part-time hours, or on a call-in (casual) basis. They can apply for positions that are permanent, temporary or casual depending on department and facility needs. As the Nutrition and Food Services department typically operates seven days per week, shift schedules may contain a combination of morning, afternoon, evening, weekend and holiday shifts. In many cases, food services workers are finished work before 9:00 p.m.

Food service workers spend almost all of their work time standing and walking. During their shifts they may visit patient or resident care rooms and work in kitchens or cafeterias. They may find themselves lifting, pushing, and pulling food, supplies and equipment during the course of their work. At times, food service workers may be required to crouch and reach in order to do their jobs. They may also be exposed to loud noise levels, temperature variations and humidity in the kitchen, fridges and other areas. Food service workers may handle sharp or hot items and strong cleaning supplies during their work and so must take care not to harm themselves or others in doing so.

To learn more visit Alberta Learning Information Services (ALIS).

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