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Food Service Worker (Online)

A food service worker brings a meal served on a tray to a patient in a health care setting.

The food service worker plays a key role in health care environments, ensuring quality nutrition and service. Developed by registered dietitians, this program builds the knowledge and skills needed to work in food services in long-term care and hospital settings.

Home / Learn / Programs List / Food Service Worker (Online)
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
Other
Start Date(s)
Ongoing
Locations
Online
Open to
Domestic Students
CIP Code
12.0508

Find your career

Prepare for a rewarding role as part of a dynamic team, creating nutritious meals in a range of institutional settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to private clinics and retirement residences. 

  • Prepare nutritious meals that support clients’ health and well-being. 
  • Apply safe food handling techniques to protect clients and your co-workers. 
  • Follow dietary guidelines and accommodate special dietary needs. 

Is it for you? 

A career as a food service worker may be a good fit if you: 

  • Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. 
  • Have strong customer service skills. 
  • Work well as part of a team. 
  • Are reliable and organized. 

How you'll learn

Flexible learning that fits your life.

Learn online at your own pace, building the knowledge you need to succeed as a food service worker:

  • Explore human nutrition and how nutritious foods support patients throughout the lifecycle.
  • With a focus on nutrition in health care, understand how special diets and nutrition contribute to person-centred care.
  • Develop skills in quantity food preparation, including menu planning, portion control and service.
  • Learn safe food handling practices and regulations to prevent food-borne illness in health care settings.
  • Build customer service and communication skills for working with patients, residents and team members.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of a food service worker in an institutional setting, including quality management and cost control.

Courses information

Please note:

  • Courses should be completed in the order listed below.
  • Students should complete all program requirements within seven years.
  • Students may apply to receive the credential after completing all required courses.
  • Visit Loyalist Focus for more information and to register for courses.

Required courses:

HLTH 8520

Institutional Food Service

HLTH 8524

Introduction to Nutrition

HLTH 8521

Sanitation and Safety

HLTH 8522

Communication and the Food Service Worker

HLTH 8523

Quantity Food Preparation

HLTH 8525

Nutrition in Health Care

 

For information about courses that are currently available, visit Loyalist Focus.

Admission Requirements

This program is open for enrolment on a course-by-course basis. Students should possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or be classified as a Mature Student (19 years of age or older without an OSSD) prior to registering for courses.

Costs

Approximate costs (2024–25)

Course availability and costs can be found at Loyalist Focus.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs and resources. Learn more about paying for college and OSAP for students completing distance education programs.

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Take your expertise to the next level by building on your skills and turning your certificate into a diploma with further studies at Loyalist. You could also receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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