Dietary Clerk

At Houston Methodist, the Dietary Clerk position is responsible for performing customer‑oriented activities and various background operational duties relating to obtaining Room Service orders and the entry of meal selections via the departmental computerized software. This position takes diet orders from patients, explains which diet patients are on, answers questions regarding food choices, assists with patient tray assembly, organizes menus by unit, and utilizes computerized software to supplement menus for patient meals that have not been ordered.

The role also calculates, delivers, and tracks nutrition products to the patient’s bedside or patient care unit, follows all department policies and procedures, and complies with relevant local Food Ordinances.

• Education: High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
• Experience: One year experience in customer service, diet office, dietetic field, or call center preferred.
• Licenses and
  
  Certifications:
  
  Food Handlers Permit – Various Issuers Accredited food handler training course approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job.
• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English necessary for essential functions.
• Effectively communicates with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a customer service focus.
• Problem‑solving and productivity improvement skills.
• Multitasks, maintains accurate records, and completes orders promptly.
• Handles complaints and resolves problems independently.
• Works well in a fast‑paced environment and adapts to changing work conditions.
• Good judgment and professional decision‑making.
• Competency with standard software applications (Outlook, Excel) and the department’s computerized system.

• Explains meal ordering procedures to all patients and responds appropriately to their needs.
• Communicates with unit staff and on‑call Dietitian to clarify discrepancies and ensures patient needs are met.
• Shares pertinent information such as difficulty eating, poor appetite, and nutrition consult orders with relevant team members.
• Promotes teamwork and contributes to improvement of department engagement scores.

• Assists with incoming calls and accurately enters patient meal orders into software.
• Navigates and confirms patient diet orders in the EMR, offering alternative items where appropriate.
• Confers with patients by phone to obtain meal requests and records details (allergies, late/hold, paper service, notes).
• Plates food items on patient trays during peak times as directed by the team leader or manager.
• Resolves issues promptly, referring complaints to the appropriate staff for follow‑up and recommending improvements.

• Accurately enters menu selections, maintains knowledge of patient diet orders and hospital menus, and delivers Welcome Packets and menus.
• Compiles monthly reports as specified by management and assists in creating reports and handouts.
• Matches patient meal worksheets with software sheets to ensure accuracy of information.
• Accurately notes patient preferences from tray check sheets and other sources.

• Tracks nutrition products delivered or returned and manages office supplies to reduce waste and stay within budget.
• Utilizes resources for cost effectiveness and manages time effectively while prioritizing daily tasks.

• Seeks opportunities for self‑development and updates the My Development Plan (MDP) regularly.

• Uniform:
  Yes
• Scrubs:
  No
• Business professional:
  No
• Other (department approved):
  Yes

Note that employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection below.

• On Call:
  No

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area:
  No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area:
  No