• Focuses on customer service, taking orders, serving food, and ensuring a pleasant dining experience.
• Primarily follows food safety, sanitation, and hospitality standards
• Prepare meals by reading and following recipes, production sheets, and product directions; estimate food quantities based on census and dietary needs.
• Operate kitchen equipment and utensils to prepare ingredients, including measuring, washing, peeling, chopping, mixing, and cooking.
• Prepare therapeutic diets, including thickened liquids and modified-texture meals (chopped, ground, pureed); measure and calculate liquid and nutrient restrictions as required.
• Participate in all meal services, including tray line, dining rooms, and in-room delivery.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety by inspecting, cleaning, and sanitizing workstations, equipment, and service areas.
• Support food quality by conducting taste tests and ensuring portion and presentation standards are met.
• Assist residents with menu selections, ensuring dietary compliance and honoring personal preferences.
• Communicate dietary changes, admissions, discharges, or other updates promptly; answer phones and relay messages accurately.
• Serve and replenish meals and beverages courteously while delivering exceptional customer service.
• Maintain resident confidentiality and report any concerns or needs to appropriate staff. § Promote a positive dining environment and cooperative relationships with coworkers and other departments.
• Follow all facility policies, food safety procedures, and departmental guidelines.
• Attend mandatory in-services, training sessions, and staff meetings as required. § Perform additional duties as assigned
• Label, date, store, and rotate food items per HACCP and safety standards; stock and monitor inventory.
• Emphasizes patient care support, including delivering meals, following diet orders, and assisting with nutrition-related needs as part of a healthcare team.
• Must adhere to strict healthcare regulations, infection control protocols, and patient privacy requirements (e.g., HIPAA), with close attention to therapeutic and medically prescribed diets.

• Competitive wages
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance
• Generous contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid professional development
• Scholarship opportunities

• High School diploma or equivalent or current enrollment in high school.
• At least 1 year experience in hospital, restaurant, or continuing care retirement community (CCRC) preferred.

• Demonstrated discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and tactfully with individuals at all levels, including residents, staff, families, external vendors/authorities, and the public.
• Strong attention to detail in writing, proofreading, managing priorities, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment, demonstrating a cooperative, respectful, and compassionate approach to colleagues and resident care.
• Skilled in the use of standard office equipment and technology.
• Maintains professionalism, composure, and a positive attitude when managing challenging situations.
• Physically able to move throughout the workday and lift items up to 35 pounds using safe handling practices.
• May be necessary to assist with resident evacuation during emergency situations.
• Complies with organizational health and safety requirements, including vaccination policies or valid exemptions.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
At Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland (LSMMD), we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual is respected, supported, and valued. We believe our organization’s strength comes from the unique perspectives each team member brings.

LSMMD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Our hiring practices reflect our core values of respect, compassionate service, trust, integrity, community, and innovation. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively promote a culture of inclusion and equity in all aspects of our organization.