JobsAdvocate Health

Diet Assistant

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Aug 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Advocate Health

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you caught an error before it reached a customer or patient. What did you notice and what did you do?

attention to detail and whether the candidate takes initiative to correct problems rather than passing them along

Describe a time you had to deliver news to a patient or family member that they weren't going to like, maybe about a menu restriction or a delay.

communication skill and composure when service doesn't go as the customer wants

Tell me about a time things got really busy, maybe several things needed to happen at once, and how you decided what to handle first.

ability to prioritize under stress in a fast-paced production environment

Give me an example of a decision you made on your own, without checking with a supervisor first, that turned out to be the right call.

comfort with independent judgment and accountability, since the role explicitly requires minimal supervision

Technical

How do you keep track of allergy reports, census changes, tube feeding orders, and consult lists all coming in during the same shift?

organizational skill and ability to juggle multiple data sources under time pressure

If you noticed the hard copy diet order from the hospital system doesn't match what's entered in the diet office computer, walk me through what you'd do.

whether the candidate understands the verification process and takes discrepancies seriously rather than assuming one system is right

What does HIPAA mean to you in the context of taking a phone call about a patient's tray or diet order?

basic understanding of confidentiality rules applied to a real daily task, not just textbook knowledge

How comfortable are you learning a new computer system, like a room service or trayline program, and what's your process for picking it up quickly?

computer aptitude and self-directed learning since minimal supervision is expected

How do you double check your math when processing meal charges or counts, especially when you're moving fast?

mathematical competence and habits that prevent billing or count errors

Situational

Walk me through how you would process a patient's meal selections when their diet order changes right in the middle of trayline production.

whether the candidate understands the real-time coordination between diet orders and meal production and can adapt without dropping accuracy

A patient calls to say their tray has food they're allergic to, but the allergy isn't showing on your report. What do you do right then?

how the candidate handles urgent safety issues and whether they know when to escalate versus act independently

Someone on the kitchen floor doesn't clean up a spill or leaves chemicals out. What would you do in that moment?

commitment to safety and sanitation standards even outside their direct task list

This schedule is five days a week, 3:30 to 7:30 pm, with every other weekend and rotating holidays. How does that fit with your life right now?

realistic commitment to the actual shift pattern and whether attendance will be reliable

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 11903 Advocate Sherman Hospital - Food and Nutrition Status: Part time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 20 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 5 days a week 330pm-730pm. Every other weekend and rotating holidays. Pay Range: $19.80 - $29.70 Major Responsibilities: Coordinates all diet office activities as related to the patient trayline and production in an accurate and timely manner. 1)Processes all patient meal selections assuring compliance to diet order using department room service computor program, department standards, and job task list. 2)Print appropriate daily reports as required. (ie. allergy report, host round sheets, daily census, tube feedings and nourishments, dietitian consults.) 3)Verifies diet order changes in diet office computor system against hospital system generated hard copies. 4)Processes all appropriate charges as assigned. 5)Assures excellent customer service and communication to patients, families, and all hospital associates. 6)Documents all concerns, issues request etc on phone log , room service computor systems and notifies Supervisor or Patient Services manager as required by department standards. 7)Demonstrates a respect for the confidentiality of patient information. Maintains HIPPA standards during all communications. Adhereres to department safety, sanitation, service/communication standards 1)Practices safety and santitation,techniques that meet department standards. Use correcct body mechanics in the performance duties. 2)Utilizes all chemicals according to department and manufacturer guidelines. Practicing a "clean as you go" in day to day task assignments. 3)Demonstrates accuracy and clarity in both berbal and written communications 4)Demonstrates sound decision making- takes responsibility for decisions. Minimal supervison. 5)Attendance at meetings, inservices and training sessions. Completes CBT,flu shot, and other hospital requirements. 6)Follow hospital and department dress codes. 7)Additional or other duties may be assigned as based on needs of the department. Education/Experience Required: * In high school, high school graduate or GED * 6 months in customer service field/ office Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: * Good Computer skills and able to navigate on various computer programs * Very good communication skills *Ability to work with minimal supervison * Detail and results orientated *Ability to work well under stressful situations *Ability to follow thru on tasks * Strong organizational skills * Mathematical competence *Ability to communicate effectively; written and verbal * Ability to speak, read and write English clearly and proficiently * Have a neat and professional appearance N/A Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: * Flexible work hours between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm including weekends and holidays. * Ability to work under stressful/difficult conditions. * Ability to meet time constraints in a fast pace environment. * Ability to work for significant periods of time. * Ability to communicate with various internal/external customers. * Ability to document. * Ability to read patient menus, names and logs. * Ability to spend majority of time standing and sitting. * Position requires constant hearing and seeing. * Position requires frequent bending, keying, reaching, speaking, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, kneeling and smelling. * Position requires occasional climbing and tasting. * Limited exposure to hazardous conditions. * Safety and sanitation when entering patients' rooms or kitchen. * Ability to handle various tasks simultaneously especially during peak hours. * Ability to move 50 pounds. If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

Apply at Advocate Health

Related jobs

Physical Therapist (PT) - Acute Care and Emergency

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Medical Assistant (MA)/LPN - OB/GYN

Advocate Health · Franklin, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Family Medicine - Full Time

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Registered Nurse (RN) - Orland Park

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

GI Scheduler

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

Supervisor Clinical Physician Practice (Orland Park)

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20