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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Food Services Worker - Food & Nutrition, Part-time, Days

Northwestern Medicine · McHenry, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

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

The posting asks for independent judgment in times of need. Tell me about a time you used it.

What they are checking: The posting is explicit about this, which is unusual for a food service role.

This is part time days. How does that fit what you are looking for?

What they are checking: Honest fit with the hours.

What do you think a meal means to someone who is in hospital?

What they are checking: Whether they see this as care or as catering.

What would you do

Cooking in a hospital means diet orders. How does that change how you prepare a tray?

What they are checking: Whether they understand a dietary restriction here is a clinical instruction.

A patient calls with a room service order and needs help deciding. What do you do?

What they are checking: Patience with someone who is unwell, which is the difference from a restaurant.

A tray goes out wrong and the patient is unhappy. What do you do?

What they are checking: Problem resolution, which the posting names.

About the work

Walk me through assembling a patient tray correctly.

What they are checking: The task that decides whether the right patient gets the right food.

What food safety documentation have you completed, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: The posting names required documentation, which is what an inspection looks at.

Explain FIFO and why it matters when you put stock away.

What they are checking: The posting names it directly, and getting it wrong means expired food.

What experience do you have with Excel and with handling cash?

What they are checking: Both are named in the posting and neither is obvious for a food service role.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Food Services Worker reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. Responsibilties: • Prepares cold food items for patients and cafeteria. • Take Room Service orders including employee/patient/family initiated orders and those patients needing assistance. • Complete tray assembly. • Ensures food meets all safety and sanitary regulations and completes all required documentation. • Data entry using Microsoft Excel. • Basic cash handling. • Maintains a safe, clean, neat and orderly cooking area. • Ensures all department policies and programs are adhered to. • Ensure satisfaction in quality and service using problem resolution skills as necessary. • Completes daily position checklists, cleaning duties and all required documentation. • Completes all mandatory in-service trainings and meets employee health requirements. • Completes daily position checklists, cleaning duties and all required documentation. • Washes and sanitizes all food service equipment used for patients and cafeteria service. • Replaces items to their proper place of storage. • Demonstrates ability to exercise independent judgment in times of need. • Assist with putting away stock using the FIFO (first in, first out) method. • Cleans and sanitizes cafeteria service items. • Cleans dish machine at end of shift. • Cleans and sanitizers work area. • Cleans and sanitizes food service carts. Required: • Excellent customer service and critical thinking skills • Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action. Preferred: • One-year customer service experience • Familiar with diet restrictions Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.