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Food Service Assistant - PRN

Mercyhealth · Janesville, WI · $16.56–$24.01 an hour · Per diem

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

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

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked in a fast-paced kitchen or restaurant. How did you keep up?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay quick and careful when trays and customers are coming fast.

This role needs you to work weekends, holidays and different areas. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: Whether they can truly meet the flexibility the department depends on.

What would you do

A patient's tray ticket says low sodium and diabetic, but the tray has a regular dessert on it. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they read tray tickets carefully and stop a tray that could harm a patient on a special diet.

When you deliver a tray, the patient asks you to help open things and says they cannot reach the table. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they help patients kindly and know when to get the nurse for anything beyond their role.

You walk into a room with a sign on the door for isolation precautions. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow infection control rules in patient rooms to protect patients and themselves.

A coworker skips cleaning steps to finish early. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they care about sanitation in a hospital and will speak up or report shortcuts.

A cafeteria customer is rude about the wait. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they stay polite and calm with frustrated visitors and staff.

About the work

Why do we take and record food and equipment temperatures, and what do you do if one is out of range?

What they are checking: Whether they understand food safety and report problems instead of just writing numbers down.

How do you rotate stock when you put away a new delivery?

What they are checking: Whether they know first-in, first-out and why it prevents waste and spoiled food.

How do you handle cash at the register and make sure your drawer balances?

What they are checking: Whether they can be trusted with cash and follow simple steps to stay accurate.

How do you stay safe filtering or changing fryer oil?

What they are checking: Whether they respect burn hazards and follow safe steps around hot oil.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Reads patient tray ticket orders and places items on trays. • Delivers / serves patient trays, snack and supplements Assist patients with opening any items • Collects patient trays from room, stacks dirty dishes on cart and returns cart to kitchen • Operates dish machine • Performs daily / weekly cleaning tasks • Washes and sanitizes dishes, pots and pans, and kitchen equipment • Maybe required to filter hot oil with mesh strainer and/or change oil in fryers • Serves cafeteria customers • Operates cash register • Portions food items as directed • Replenishes stock with proper rotation • Takes and records food temperatures • Takes and records equipment temperatures • Cleans and sanitizes work area, tables, and cabinets • Collects and places garbage and trash in designated containers • Follows scripting when delivering patient trays • Adheres to department safety and sanitation regulations • Use protective barriers (gloves, apron, and proper hair coverings) • Excellent customer service skills needed when delivering patient trays EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE High school diploma or equivalent preferred. CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE N/A OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Good interpersonal / communications skills. Language Skills Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-to-one to other employees of the organization Ability to communicate with others in a positive manner Mathematical Skills Ability to add and subtract. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money, weight measurements and volume. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions. Ability to deal with problems Computer Skills Basic computer knowledge needed PAY RANGE: $16.56 - $24.01 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and benefits, including retirement, time off, on-demand pay, access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more. Click here for more details. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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