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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 2, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Nutrition & Food Service Aide I Flex/Registry Various Start Times

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 1, 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

Tell me about food service work you have done.

What they are checking: The posting is a nutrition and food service aide role.

The start times vary between early morning and midday to late evening. How do you manage that?

What they are checking: The posting lists three different start times.

Flex and registry work with alternating weekends at Palos Heights. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the arrangement, the weekends and the site.

What would you do

What is different about food service in a hospital?

What they are checking: Diet orders and allergies make a wrong tray a clinical event.

You notice a tray that does not match the diet order. What do you do?

What they are checking: The catch that keeps a patient from getting food they cannot have.

How do you keep up when the line is moving fast?

What they are checking: The posting names following a posted job routine schedule at every meal.

About the work

Walk me through working a station on the tray line.

What they are checking: The posting names preparing, filling, setting up, working and cleaning an assigned station each meal.

How do you make sure portions are right?

What they are checking: The posting names dishing out servings according to menu using appropriate scoops and ladles.

How do you prepare a tube feeding or a nourishment correctly?

What they are checking: The posting names preparing nourishments and tube feedings using proper methods and standardized recipes.

How do you keep your station and equipment clean during service?

What they are checking: The posting names operating and cleaning all tray line and nourishment equipment.

Practice this interview out loud.

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Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

This position requires various start times: 6:00AM - 2:30PM 6:30AM - 3:00PM 12:15PM - 8:45PM Alternating weekends The N&FS Aide I, Flex 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. Under direct supervision of the Assistant Supervisors and Nutrition and Food Service Supervisor of the unit to which assigned, assists in preparation, serving and distribution of patient and/or employee meals and nourishments; works in dishroom and assists in cleaning duties as assigned. Is respectful and works cooperatively with others. Performs other inherent duties related to but not limited to the following. Responsibilities: When Assigned to Patient Trayline: • Prepares, fills, sets up, works and cleans assigned station for tray assembly each meal. • Dishes out servings according to menu. Use appropriate scoops and ladles. • Prepares between-meal nourishments and tube feedings using proper methods and follows standardized recipes. • Completes and follows Computrition work sheets as required. • Follows posted job routine schedule. • Properly operates and cleans all tray line/nourishment area equipment. • Sweeps and mops all tray line, nourishment and cart storage area floors. • Maintains high standards of cleanliness, safety and sanitation. When Assigned to Patient Tray/Nourishment Delivery: • Transports food and late tray carts to designated floors. • Returns food and late tray carts to kitchen area at appropriate times. • Delivers patient nourishment orders, late food trays, and department stock orders to patients, nursing station or designated unit. Signs off on appropriate documents. • Stocks nursing pantries with food supplies and documents amounts as assigned. Documents refrigerator temperatures. Rotates products as needed. Reports problems when noted. • Delivers late trays to patient rooms, properly identifies patients and practices friendly customer service. When Assigned to Cafeteria: • Assembles, cooks and/or serves food as ordered. • Replenishes entrees and/or supplies as necessary. • Operates cash register as required. • Cleans counters, tables and equipment as necessary. • Follows posted job schedule. • Practices friendly customer service. When Assigned to Dish room: • Dismantles and cleans patient food and late tray carts and cafeteria trays. • Scrapes and loads dishes into dish machine; removes dishes from machine after washing cycle. • Sorts and distributes clean china, silverware, etc., to proper area. • Operates and cleans dish machine and mulcher as assigned. • Collects and transports garbage, and cardboard to compactor or dock area. • Cleans counters and floors in dishroom, hallway and cafeteria tray loading area and uses appropriate signs as needed. • Uses all chemicals in the tray line and dish room area appropriately. Follows MSDS, HMRC and standard precautions. • Uses safe sanitary procedures when handling clean china, utensils, pots, etc. Other Duties • Attends all mandatary inservices including annual safety reviews. • Projects a customer-friendly image when dealing with all internal and external parties. • Follows all Policies and Procedures. • Other duties as assigned. Required: • No formal education required but must be able to communicate verbally, to read and write English in order to understand instructions; menus, daily job descriptions etc. • May have to do basic mathematical computations when working the cash register • Job consists of simple functions which can be learned on the job within one month. 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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): 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 at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.