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Cafeteria Assistant
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Chattanooga, TN, 37404
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 15-20.33 HOUR
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Participates in and supports all aspects of healthcare foodservice operations. Works with facility staff to provide optimal nutritional care and demonstrates excellent customer service to patients, guests and staff.
- 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.)
- Performing other duties as assigned by leader
The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
Required Education and Experience:
- One (1) year of Food Service or Customer Service Experience
Preferred Education and Experience:
High School Diploma
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
In Chattanooga, employers often favor candidates with ServSafe food handler certifications or equivalent local food safety training. These credentials help ensure compliance with health regulations and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining hygiene standards in hospital or school cafeterias.
Chattanooga's cafeteria job market is moderately competitive, with steady demand in healthcare and educational facilities. Candidates with prior food service experience and customer service skills tend to have an edge, especially when applying to reputable organizations like Catholic Health Initiatives.
Daily responsibilities include preparing and serving meals following dietary guidelines, maintaining cleanliness of workspaces, managing food inventory, and possibly cashier duties. The role demands attention to hygiene and customer interaction skills to support smooth cafeteria operations.
Starting as a cafeteria assistant can open doors to supervisory roles or specialized positions such as dietary technician or food service manager. Building experience with food safety, customer service, and inventory management in healthcare settings enhances advancement chances.
Cafeteria assistants in Chattanooga typically earn between $11 and $14 per hour, influenced by experience and facility type. Positions within healthcare organizations like Catholic Health Initiatives may offer competitive wages coupled with benefits, reflecting the job’s community impact.
Catholic Health Initiatives invests in thorough training, emphasizing food safety protocols, patient nutrition requirements, and customer service excellence. New hires receive guidance tailored to healthcare foodservice standards, ensuring readiness to support patient care effectively.
Working at Catholic Health Initiatives blends foodservice duties with a mission-driven healthcare environment, focusing on nutritional care for patients alongside guest services. This setting requires adherence to strict health regulations and compassionate interaction uncommon in standard cafeteria roles.
Key skills include attention to food hygiene, ability to follow dietary instructions, customer service aptitude, and multitasking under fast-paced conditions. Familiarity with kitchen equipment and basic cashiering also enhances performance in this multifaceted position.
Yes, full-time opportunities exist, especially within large hospitals and health systems in Chattanooga. These roles often come with stable schedules and benefits, appealing to candidates seeking consistent employment in community-focused environments.
Balancing strict health codes, managing diverse dietary needs, and maintaining efficiency during busy meal times can be demanding. Emotional resilience is important due to patient interactions, alongside physical stamina for tasks like food prep and cleaning.