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Nutrition Assistant II
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Council Bluffs, IA, 51503-3128
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 15.67-22.14 HOUR
Date Posted : 31 December 2025
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.
- Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu and dietary requirements using required kitchen utensils and equipment. Maintains knowledge of recipe ingredients to respond to food allergy questions or requests.
- 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 and facility guidelines.
- Follows organizational standards and guidelines for a high quality patient and customer experience. Ensures proper meal portioning and an aesthetically pleasing presentation. Provides service recovery efforts and escalates to leadership as needed.
- May be responsible for one or more of the following:
- Following therapeutic diet modifications and guidelines including allergy restrictions for all patient meal trays, nourishment, snacks and supplements
- Printing, providing and following production tool and/or electronic meal tallies/differentials for food preparation
- Explaining basic therapeutic diet orders and menus and responding to questions from patients and family members. Escalating additional patient nutrition questions or needs to appropriate clinical support team members.
- Collecting patient food preferences and ensuring compliance with prescribed diet orders. Distributing food preferences to the kitchen for menu planning in a timely manner.
- Operating electronic diet office software and tools following established procedures and protocols.
- Navigating electronic health records to access patient diet orders and nutritional reports.
- Performing general cleaning of equipment and work areas (e.g., cleaning the tray line, equipment, coolers, office area, and emptying trash cans, etc.)
Required
- One (1) year of Food Service Experience and
- None, upon hire
Preferred
- High School Graduate General Studies, upon hire or
- High School GED General Studies, upon hire and
- Customer Service Experience
At CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, patients are at the heart of our care. Our campus is designed to heal the body, mind and spirit of every person in a more comfortable, less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services include a new pavilion featuring enhancements in heart and vascular care, surgery, maternity, cancer care, and diagnostic imaging.
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Frequently asked questions
In Council Bluffs, IA, certifications like ServSafe Food Handler or Basic Nutrition courses can enhance your profile for Nutrition Assistant II positions. Employers appreciate candidates familiar with food safety protocols and therapeutic diet knowledge, reflecting regional healthcare standards and compliance expectations.
Council Bluffs exhibits a moderate demand for nutrition assistants, especially in healthcare facilities like Catholic Health Initiatives. Job seekers with food service experience and customer service skills tend to have an edge due to local healthcare expansions and patient-centered foodservice emphasis.
A Nutrition Assistant II typically demonstrates advanced knowledge in therapeutic diets, food safety compliance, and patient interaction compared to entry-level aides. Strong attention to detail and familiarity with electronic diet software further differentiate this experienced role within healthcare food services.
Daily tasks for a Nutrition II include preparing meals aligned with dietary restrictions, ensuring food safety standards, managing meal tallies, and assisting patients with diet-related queries. This role demands meticulous portion control and maintaining a clean, compliant foodservice environment.
Progression pathways often lead to roles like Nutrition Supervisor or Dietitian Assistant, leveraging hands-on experience with therapeutic diets and patient care. Gaining certifications and expanding knowledge in nutrition science can also open doors to specialized nutrition coordinator positions.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, Nutrition Assistant IIs play a pivotal part in delivering tailored nutritional support, enhancing healing through diet adherence. Their contributions directly affect patient experience by ensuring meals meet therapeutic guidelines within a compassionate healthcare setting.
Catholic Health Initiatives expects Nutrition Assistant IIs to uphold high standards of food safety and customer service, aligning with their healing-focused environment. Employees must also efficiently use electronic health records and diet software, ensuring accurate meal delivery and patient satisfaction.
Nutrition Assistant II positions in Council Bluffs typically offer salaries between $28,000 and $34,000 annually, reflecting local cost of living and healthcare industry standards. Compensation may vary depending on experience, certifications, and specific responsibilities within foodservice operations.
Yes, proficiency with electronic diet office software and health records is increasingly crucial for Nutrition II roles. Familiarity with these tools ensures accurate patient diet tracking, efficient meal preparation, and compliance with healthcare data protocols.
Nutrition Assistant II positions often require a higher responsibility level, including therapeutic diet knowledge and patient interaction skills, compared to general dietary assistants or nutrition aides. This role blends food service expertise with clinical support functions within healthcare settings.