Nutrition Assistant Lead
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Chattanooga, TN, 37404
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 17.5-24.01 HOUR
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
Leads the daily operations of Nutrition Assistants and nutrition support staff to assist in ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Participates in and supports all aspects of healthcare food service operations. Works with facility staff to provide optimal nutritional care and demonstrates excellent customer service to patients, guests and staff. Follows diet manual handbook and diet spreadsheets to ensure therapeutic meal compliance with prescribed diet order.
- Ensures employees follow healthcare food service industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Ensures processes and standards are met to avoid cross contamination. Ensures employees adhere to hygiene, food labeling, and food storage standards and maintains tools and equipment according to regulations and facility guidelines.
- Leads food and nutrition service employees including ensuring menu and diet accuracy, proper meal portioning, presentation and delivery, patient discharge follow-up, etc. Provides direction and development to staff not adhering to policies and procedures.
- Oversees food preparation and service to ensure the guidelines of menu and dietary requirements are met. Maintains foundational knowledge of recipe ingredients and food allergies in order to respond appropriately to dietary questions and concerns. Assists team members in applying organizational procedures and protocols to reduce the occurrence of errors related to dietary guidelines.
- Trains new and existing employees to follow departmental policies and procedures. Assesses training progress and provides constructive feedback for improved performance. Supports leadership in employee performance reviews. Supports leadership in the training of nutrition services team members related to areas such as therapeutic diets, retail responsibilities and other departmental areas.
- Other Duties as assigned by the 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:
- Two (2) years experience in food service or one (1) year hospital nutrition experience.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and 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's healthcare environment, a Nutrition Assistant Lead must ensure strict adherence to food safety protocols, including temperature controls and contamination prevention. This role demands vigilance in aligning daily operations with hospital standards to protect patient health and meet regional regulatory expectations.
Managing nutrition services at Catholic Health Initiatives involves balancing therapeutic meal compliance with patient satisfaction. The lead must navigate diverse dietary needs, oversee staff training, and maintain high hygiene standards—all while supporting a faith-based organization's commitment to compassionate healthcare.
While a high school diploma or GED often suffices, Tennessee healthcare employers favor candidates with certifications in food safety and therapeutic diet management. Certifications like ServSafe can enhance a Nutrition Assistant Lead's credibility and compliance capabilities in regional hospitals.
Nutrition Assistant Leads in Chattanooga typically earn between $38,000 and $45,000 annually, reflecting the region’s healthcare market. This range is slightly below national averages but balanced by cost of living benefits and local employment stability in faith-based health systems.
Chattanooga shows growing demand for nutrition services roles due to expanding healthcare facilities and increased focus on patient dietary compliance. This trend offers Nutrition Assistant Leads opportunities for career advancement amidst a supportive local job market.
Unlike dietary assistants or aides, a Nutrition Assistant Lead oversees team operations, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides staff training. Leadership in menu accuracy and patient dietary adherence sets this role apart, requiring both management skills and in-depth nutritional knowledge.
Strong leadership, knowledge of therapeutic diets, and commitment to compassionate care resonate well in faith-based settings. Additionally, proficiency in regulatory standards and the ability to foster team collaboration are highly valued at Catholic Health Initiatives.
Catholic Health Initiatives provides structured training, ongoing performance feedback, and access to comprehensive diet manuals. This support empowers Nutrition Assistant Leads to uphold high standards in meal preparation, safety, and patient-centered nutrition care.
Yes, experience gained managing staff and ensuring compliance at Catholic Health Initiatives lays a strong foundation for progression to senior roles, such as Nutrition Services Director, especially within their expansive healthcare network.
Effective communication involves clear dietary instruction delivery, collaborative problem-solving with clinical teams, and empathetic interactions with patients. These skills help ensure nutritional care aligns with medical treatments and patient needs in Chattanooga hospitals.