Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, California is seeking a per diem Food Service Worker to support patient nutrition services across day and evening shifts. This role sits within the Desert Care Network — a three-hospital system serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions — and offers flexible AM/PM scheduling for candidates with at least one year of food service or cooking experience. The position plays a direct role in patient care by ensuring safe, high-quality meal preparation and timely tray delivery throughout the facility.
Perks and Benefits
- Per diem employment with AM and PM shift flexibility
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (eligibility based on employment status)
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Health savings accounts (HSA); healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program and employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits: pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare assistance, auto and home insurance
Practice Highlights
- Day shift and per diem rotation at Hi-Desert Medical Center, part of the Desert Care Network serving the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin
- Network includes three hospitals: Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs), JFK Memorial Hospital (Indio), and Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree)
- System-level services include comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, and the only Level 3 NICU in the Coachella Valley
- Prepares and cooks meats, fish, poultry, gravies, cereals, soups, vegetables, and cold food items per standardized recipes and menus
- Assembles and delivers patient meal trays; retrieves trays following meal service
- Operates kitchen equipment including grinders, slicers, mixers, and blenders
- Maintains food quality standards for temperature, freshness, taste, and appearance throughout preparation
- Responsible for sanitation compliance: dishwashing, equipment cleaning, sweeping, mopping, and scheduled cleaning tasks
- Coordinates cooking schedules to ensure timely meal readiness; may lead or direct the work of other food service staff
- Maintains department records and reports; attends required department meetings
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- Minimum of one year of experience in food service or cooking
- San Bernardino County Food Handler's Certification required (may be obtained within 14 days of hire)
- Familiarity with food service concepts, practices, and procedures; ability to plan and accomplish goals using experience and judgment
About the Community
Joshua Tree sits at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino County, offering a distinctive high-desert lifestyle with dramatic landscapes, world-class rock climbing, stargazing, and a thriving arts community. The area provides a lower cost of living relative to coastal Southern California while remaining within driving distance of Palm Springs, the greater Inland Empire, and Los Angeles. The Morongo Basin's open spaces and outdoor recreation make it a compelling home base for those who prefer a quieter, nature-centered environment without sacrificing access to urban amenities.