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

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

Posted Sep 30, 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 had to make a decision on your own at work.

What they are checking: Whether they can use good judgment when a supervisor is not around.

Why do you want to work in food service at a hospital in McHenry?

What they are checking: Whether they understand they are part of patient care, not just a kitchen.

What would you do

How do you take a room service order from a patient who needs help choosing their meal?

What they are checking: Whether they are patient and helpful with people who are sick, confused or overwhelmed.

A patient's tray goes back with something wrong on it. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they fix it fast and figure out how to prevent it next time.

How do you handle a customer in the cafeteria who is upset about their food or the price?

What they are checking: Whether they solve problems calmly and keep good service.

What do you do if you see a coworker skip a food safety step?

What they are checking: Whether they will speak up to protect patients.

About the work

Walk me through how you assemble a patient tray correctly.

What they are checking: Whether they follow the ticket and diet order step by step to avoid mistakes.

What does first in, first out mean, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they understand stock rotation, which the posting names, to keep food safe and reduce waste.

How do you wash and sanitize equipment so it is safe to use again?

What they are checking: Whether they follow sanitation steps that protect patients with weak immune systems.

How do you keep track of your daily checklists and cleaning duties?

What they are checking: Whether they are organized and reliable with routine tasks.

How do you handle basic cash and data entry tasks?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the clerical parts of the job accurately.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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.

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