Director of Nutritional Services
Samaritan, Moses Lake, WA, United States
Overview
All of us, for each of you, every time.
Together, serving as the trusted regional healthcare partner.
Listen~Love~Respect~Excel~Innovate
Responsibilities This position is responsible for planning, organizing, managing and coordinating the operation of the Nutritional Services Department. It ensures compliance with local, state, federal and DNV regulations governing the handling, preparation and serving of food to patients, employees and customers; provides oversight for catering services; develops professionals from the selection process, through orientation and ongoing staff development; develops departmental staffing plans and schedules, sets and maintains departmental goals, develops and maintains departmental budget, writes policies and procedures; maintains effective communication between staff and the healthcare organization to facilitate high quality delivery of food and nutrition services; benchmarks all services provided and conducts surveys and studies to improve all aspects of service and quality.
Direct Reports
Registered Dietitian
Dietetic Assistant
Cook
Food Preparer
Executive Chef
Essential Functions / Leadership Pillars
Relational Leadership
Relationship oriented, developing and fostering relationships through respect, open communication, trust and partnership.
Developing the campus to serve the region.
Valuing patients, families, employees, community, physicians, & partners.
Volunteerism (Ambassador for Samaritan) and participation in community events.
Active participation, representing the interests of Samaritan, in professional associations.
Strengthening relationships – by purposeful and systematic rounding with timely follow‑up and follow‑through, employee rounding, inter‑departmental rounding, and stop‑light reports.
Elevating gratitude – by thank‑you notes to employees, utilizing the peer‑to‑peer Recognition Program(s) and the DAISY Award.
Promoting wellbeing.
Strategic
Active involvement in the planning process.
Inspiring alignment and development of operational practices to achieve business goals.
Setting & achieving goals – through strategic plan update/affirmation, participation in organizational goal setting, setting department goals, conducting monthly accountability meetings, and honoring vital time.
Building partnerships to maximize Samaritan achievement.
Business planning.
Consistency and accountability.
Operations
Efficiency.
Staffing and work assignments.
Patient care.
Work flow.
Resources/equipment/materials.
Keeping professional knowledge and skills current to make operations work effectively.
Project and process management.
Improving communication – through communication boards, huddles and department meetings.
Human Resources
Develops and fosters an employer of choice culture.
Attracts, develops and retains talent.
Evaluates competency and education.
Employee relations.
Recognition.
Coaching.
Discipline and counseling.
Expectations and accountability.
Involvement and communication.
Relationship, connection and employee engagement.
Employee safety and security.
Legal, regulatory and policy compliance.
Giving & receiving feedback (aka direct dialogue) – through informal feedback (compliments & callouts), formal feedback (annual employee evaluations) and by empowering/training/supporting employees to provide peer‑to‑peer feedback.
Effective hiring & onboarding – through peer panel interviewing, behavior‑based interviewing, ensuring all new hires attend organizational orientation, and new employee rounding (day 30/60/90).
Finance
Responsible for Samaritan overall financial health by consistently and proactively managing productivity and cost containment for department.
Responsible for reporting audit goals, resource management and fiscal stewardship, maximization of productivity and cost containment, revenue generating opportunities, and monthly operational review.
Budgeting (annual and ongoing), optimization and utilization of benchmarking (Samaritan and industry).
Performance Improvement, Safety and Service
Inspires and assures alignment with family‑centered patient care.
Regulatory compliance (DNV, DOH, Stark, etc.).
Data analysis and development of appropriate initiatives.
Promotes best practice.
Active involvement in committees, teams, etc.
Outcome improvement through data analysis.
Leading change – by adherence to standardized improvement methods (e.g., PDSA, Lean/A3, etc.) and/or project management system, surveying & improving the employee and patient experience, departments “grabbing the baton” for organization‑wide improvement efforts and projects, and by leveraging stakeholder engagement/employee‑driven team structures.
Achieving standards – through utilizing the Samaritan standards of behavior and positive communication standards.
Technical / Professional Knowledge
Achieve and maintain a level of knowledge/competence in areas of responsibility to effectively and safely perform all duties and responsibilities; keeping abreast of current trends and development.
Essential Skills And Experience
Education
Bachelor’s degree in food service management, dietetics, nutrition or related business field required. Degree from a recognized culinary institution is highly desirable.
Master’s degree preferred.
Experience
Two (2) years’ experience in a managerial position.
Five (5) to seven (7) years’ experience in nutritional services or food services industry with emphasis on acute care and/or environmental services background.
Prior experience with DOH, DNV or TJC compliance surveys preferred.
License
Current Washington State Food Handler’s permit.
Certified Food Protection Manager recognized by Washington DOH.
Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is a strong plus.
Technical & Computer Skills
Computer skills (Word, Excel); prior inventory system experience a plus.
Demonstrates competency on equipment listed on department specific checklist.
Communication & Critical Thinking
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Critical thinking skills: Seeks resources for direction when necessary; performs independent problem‑solving; decision‑making is logical and deliberate.
Professional Behavior
Demonstrates accountability, safe judgment, and adherence to legal and ethical guidelines.
Cares for customers/patients across all ages.
Follows safe work practices and policies, including MSDS, infection control, fire and disaster procedures, and body‑mechanics safety.
Meticulous personal appearance and professional demeanor.
Handles additional accountabilities as required by management to meet organizational standards.
Physical Requirements
Most of this job’s time is spent in an air‑conditioned office as deskwork; requires moderate physical activity when demonstrating work techniques, conducting departmental rounding and holding departmental huddles.
Medium physical effort lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
Ability to communicate verbally and/or written with physicians, nurses, health‑care professionals, patients, family and the public.
As a Samaritan professional, you will be asked to carry out the Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy of Samaritan, personifying service and operational excellence including the creation and maintenance of the best patient, professional, physician, and student experience.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Together, serving as the trusted regional healthcare partner.
Listen~Love~Respect~Excel~Innovate
Responsibilities This position is responsible for planning, organizing, managing and coordinating the operation of the Nutritional Services Department. It ensures compliance with local, state, federal and DNV regulations governing the handling, preparation and serving of food to patients, employees and customers; provides oversight for catering services; develops professionals from the selection process, through orientation and ongoing staff development; develops departmental staffing plans and schedules, sets and maintains departmental goals, develops and maintains departmental budget, writes policies and procedures; maintains effective communication between staff and the healthcare organization to facilitate high quality delivery of food and nutrition services; benchmarks all services provided and conducts surveys and studies to improve all aspects of service and quality.
Direct Reports
Registered Dietitian
Dietetic Assistant
Cook
Food Preparer
Executive Chef
Essential Functions / Leadership Pillars
Relational Leadership
Relationship oriented, developing and fostering relationships through respect, open communication, trust and partnership.
Developing the campus to serve the region.
Valuing patients, families, employees, community, physicians, & partners.
Volunteerism (Ambassador for Samaritan) and participation in community events.
Active participation, representing the interests of Samaritan, in professional associations.
Strengthening relationships – by purposeful and systematic rounding with timely follow‑up and follow‑through, employee rounding, inter‑departmental rounding, and stop‑light reports.
Elevating gratitude – by thank‑you notes to employees, utilizing the peer‑to‑peer Recognition Program(s) and the DAISY Award.
Promoting wellbeing.
Strategic
Active involvement in the planning process.
Inspiring alignment and development of operational practices to achieve business goals.
Setting & achieving goals – through strategic plan update/affirmation, participation in organizational goal setting, setting department goals, conducting monthly accountability meetings, and honoring vital time.
Building partnerships to maximize Samaritan achievement.
Business planning.
Consistency and accountability.
Operations
Efficiency.
Staffing and work assignments.
Patient care.
Work flow.
Resources/equipment/materials.
Keeping professional knowledge and skills current to make operations work effectively.
Project and process management.
Improving communication – through communication boards, huddles and department meetings.
Human Resources
Develops and fosters an employer of choice culture.
Attracts, develops and retains talent.
Evaluates competency and education.
Employee relations.
Recognition.
Coaching.
Discipline and counseling.
Expectations and accountability.
Involvement and communication.
Relationship, connection and employee engagement.
Employee safety and security.
Legal, regulatory and policy compliance.
Giving & receiving feedback (aka direct dialogue) – through informal feedback (compliments & callouts), formal feedback (annual employee evaluations) and by empowering/training/supporting employees to provide peer‑to‑peer feedback.
Effective hiring & onboarding – through peer panel interviewing, behavior‑based interviewing, ensuring all new hires attend organizational orientation, and new employee rounding (day 30/60/90).
Finance
Responsible for Samaritan overall financial health by consistently and proactively managing productivity and cost containment for department.
Responsible for reporting audit goals, resource management and fiscal stewardship, maximization of productivity and cost containment, revenue generating opportunities, and monthly operational review.
Budgeting (annual and ongoing), optimization and utilization of benchmarking (Samaritan and industry).
Performance Improvement, Safety and Service
Inspires and assures alignment with family‑centered patient care.
Regulatory compliance (DNV, DOH, Stark, etc.).
Data analysis and development of appropriate initiatives.
Promotes best practice.
Active involvement in committees, teams, etc.
Outcome improvement through data analysis.
Leading change – by adherence to standardized improvement methods (e.g., PDSA, Lean/A3, etc.) and/or project management system, surveying & improving the employee and patient experience, departments “grabbing the baton” for organization‑wide improvement efforts and projects, and by leveraging stakeholder engagement/employee‑driven team structures.
Achieving standards – through utilizing the Samaritan standards of behavior and positive communication standards.
Technical / Professional Knowledge
Achieve and maintain a level of knowledge/competence in areas of responsibility to effectively and safely perform all duties and responsibilities; keeping abreast of current trends and development.
Essential Skills And Experience
Education
Bachelor’s degree in food service management, dietetics, nutrition or related business field required. Degree from a recognized culinary institution is highly desirable.
Master’s degree preferred.
Experience
Two (2) years’ experience in a managerial position.
Five (5) to seven (7) years’ experience in nutritional services or food services industry with emphasis on acute care and/or environmental services background.
Prior experience with DOH, DNV or TJC compliance surveys preferred.
License
Current Washington State Food Handler’s permit.
Certified Food Protection Manager recognized by Washington DOH.
Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is a strong plus.
Technical & Computer Skills
Computer skills (Word, Excel); prior inventory system experience a plus.
Demonstrates competency on equipment listed on department specific checklist.
Communication & Critical Thinking
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Critical thinking skills: Seeks resources for direction when necessary; performs independent problem‑solving; decision‑making is logical and deliberate.
Professional Behavior
Demonstrates accountability, safe judgment, and adherence to legal and ethical guidelines.
Cares for customers/patients across all ages.
Follows safe work practices and policies, including MSDS, infection control, fire and disaster procedures, and body‑mechanics safety.
Meticulous personal appearance and professional demeanor.
Handles additional accountabilities as required by management to meet organizational standards.
Physical Requirements
Most of this job’s time is spent in an air‑conditioned office as deskwork; requires moderate physical activity when demonstrating work techniques, conducting departmental rounding and holding departmental huddles.
Medium physical effort lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
Ability to communicate verbally and/or written with physicians, nurses, health‑care professionals, patients, family and the public.
As a Samaritan professional, you will be asked to carry out the Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy of Samaritan, personifying service and operational excellence including the creation and maintenance of the best patient, professional, physician, and student experience.
#J-18808-Ljbffr