Cafeteria Assistant
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Fort Oglethorpe, GA, 30742
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 15-20.33 HOUR
Date Posted : 15 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As a Nutrition Assistant, you will assist in delivering high-quality, safe, and efficient food services to patients and staff.
Every day you will prepare and deliver meal trays, assist with food preparation, maintain cleanliness, ensure food safety compliance, and interact with patients regarding dietary needs.
To be successful, you will demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, strong food safety knowledge, and excellent customer service, contributing to a positive dining experience.
- Follows healthcare foodservice industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Avoids cross-contamination of foods and adheres to personal hygiene requirements. Maintains proper labeling of food products and ensures storage of food equipment, and machinery per regulations & facility guidelines.
- Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu & dietary requirements using required kitchen utensils and equipment. Maintains knowledge of recipe ingredients to respond to food allergy questions or requests.
- Follows organizational standards and guidelines for a high quality patient and customer experience. Ensures proper meal portioning and an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
- May be responsible for one or more of the following:
- Cashiering
- Serving in the retail area
- Assembling, delivering and retrieving patient trays
- Performing cold food prep
- Performing utility assignments (e.g., dishwashing, washing pots & pans, maintaining equipment)
- Performing catering functions and or delivering/picking up catered food
- Supporting inventory maintenance duties
- Performing general cleaning of equipment and work areas (e.g., mopping, sweeping, emptying trash cans, etc.)
Required:
- One (1) year of Food Service or Customer Service Experience
Preferred:
- High School Graduate General Studies, upon hire
- Cashier experience
CHI Memorial, a member of CommonSpirit, is an award-winning, not-for-profit, faith-based health care organization dedicated to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care, from preventative and primary care to acute hospital services specializing in cancer, cardiac, neuroscience, stroke, and orthopedic services. Our commitment to excellence has earned us top prestigious recognition repeatedly from U.S. News and World Report, PINC AI™, CMS, Healthgrades®, Leapfrog, and most recently as one of the Best Places to Work in Tennessee. We are proud to serve Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia with the expertise of 4,700 team members and nearly 500 affiliated physicians.
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Frequently asked questions
Local healthcare facilities in Fort Oglethorpe often favor candidates with ServSafe or similar food safety certifications, enhancing compliance with regional health standards. Holding such certifications can improve your chances when applying for cafeteria assistant positions, particularly within organizations like Catholic Health Initiatives.
Given the presence of several healthcare and educational institutions nearby, cafeteria assistant roles in Fort Oglethorpe experience moderate competition. Candidates with customer service experience and knowledge of healthcare foodservice protocols, like those at Catholic Health Initiatives, tend to stand out.
Beyond standard meal prep and tray delivery, cafeteria assistants often manage food temperature monitoring, prevent cross-contamination, and assist with inventory upkeep. These responsibilities ensure safe, visually appealing meals that meet diverse dietary requirements.
Developing expertise in food safety, mastering efficient meal assembly, and gaining cashiering experience can open pathways toward supervisory roles or cafeteria management positions. Strong communication and attention to detail are also vital for upward mobility.
Cafeteria assistants in the Fort Oglethorpe area typically earn between $11 and $14 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. Catholic Health Initiatives offers competitive wages within this range, reflecting the role's importance in patient and staff dining services.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes faith-based care and high-quality patient interaction, which shapes the cafeteria assistant role toward compassionate service and meticulous food safety. This environment may foster a more supportive culture compared to standard foodservice jobs.
Applicants can anticipate a focus on both food handling proficiency and customer service aptitude. The hiring process may include assessments of your knowledge about dietary needs and food safety, reflecting the organization’s commitment to patient wellness.
A frequent misunderstanding is that cafeteria assistants only serve food. In reality, they play a vital role in ensuring food safety, managing inventory, and supporting patient dietary compliance, which requires attention to detail and adherence to strict healthcare standards.
Yes, cashiering experience is valuable as it enhances customer interaction skills and familiarity with point-of-sale systems. These competencies often complement foodservice tasks, making candidates more versatile and effective in cafeteria roles.
Employees often find a collaborative and mission-driven atmosphere, influenced by the organization’s faith-based values. This nurturing environment prioritizes teamwork, respect, and dedication to patient-centered food service, enriching the daily work experience.