natalie cruz
Boardman ,OH
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience at Aventura, excelling in meal preparation and patient communication. Proven ability to enhance resident satisfaction through effective menu planning and food safety practices. Skilled in time management and team collaboration, consistently delivering high-quality meals tailored to dietary needs while maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dietary Aide
Aventura
10.2025 - Current
- Monitored inventory levels and reported shortages to improve supply management.
- Trained new staff on food handling practices and safety protocols for operational efficiency.
- Provided feedback on menu items to enhance resident satisfaction and meal quality.
- Implemented best practices in portion control to minimize food waste during service.
Culinary Ambassador
Mercy Health Hospital
06.2025 - 09.2025
- Educated staff on nutritional standards and dietary guidelines for patient meals.
- Collaborated with culinary team to enhance meal presentation and quality.
- Assisted in menu planning, incorporating patient preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Conducted taste tests to evaluate food quality and flavor consistency.
Dietary Cook
Sabre Healthcare
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Assisted in meal preparation and service to ensure dietary needs were met.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining areas and kitchen equipment for safety compliance.
- Followed dietary guidelines to deliver appropriate food options for residents.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to address specific nutritional requirements effectively.
Dietary Aide
Sabre Healthcare
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Kept all kitchen areas clean, tidy and free of hazards.
- Served meals to residents in accordance with established schedules and dietary procedures.
- Washed plates, cups, serving, and eating utensils and kitchen equipment in commercial dishwasher.
- Coordinated with other dietary aides and kitchen staff to ensure efficient workflow and timely delivery of meals, contributing to a smooth-running operation.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by maintaining a clean and organized workspace, ensuring timely meal production and delivery.
- Followed all food safety regulations while preparing meals for patients.
- Cleared tables and removed dishes, trays, and utensils from dining room to dishwashing area.
- Supported fellow team members during peak times by assisting with tasks such as dishwashing and restocking supplies, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Assisted in the preparation of nutritious meals for patients with various medical conditions and dietary restrictions.
- Maintained strict levels of cleanliness for tables, floors, and prep areas.
- Added food items, beverages, and utensils to trays and immediately delivered to correct rooms.
- Ensured food safety compliance through proper storage, handling, and sanitation procedures, minimizing risk of contamination or illness.
- Arranged tray and or table settings with proper tableware, condiments, and tray card.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing high-quality meals tailored to their dietary needs and preferences.
- Discarded outdated food products and maintained waste disposal procedures.
- Delivered nourishment and supplements to nurse station for distribution to specific residents.
- Maintained accurate records of patient meal orders to ensure appropriate distribution of meals according to individual requirements.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Maintained strict adherence to HIPAA regulations when handling patient information, protecting confidentiality at all times.
- Assisted in maintaining dry storage areas and handling unpacking, dating, and rotating of food and non-food supplies as directed.
- Provided exceptional customer service to patients and their families, addressing concerns and answering questions about dietary guidelines and restrictions.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to develop individualized meal plans based on patient needs, resulting in better health outcomes.
- Streamlined meal assembly processes for faster service without compromising quality or accuracy.
- Reduced food waste through careful portioning, inventory management, and creative use of leftover ingredients.
- Participated in regular team meetings to discuss performance goals, address challenges, and share best practices for continued growth and improvement.
- Assisted dietitians in monitoring patient progress, adjusting meal plans as needed based on feedback from healthcare providers.
- Upheld efficiency of meal services by pre-setting tables before patients arrived.
- Participated in ongoing training programs to stay current on best practices in nutrition support services and foodservice operations.
- Improved patient nutrition with carefully planned and prepared meals according to dietary needs.
- Monitored food temperatures during storage and serving, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.
- Ensured timely meal delivery to patients, enhancing their dining experience and satisfaction.
- Streamlined meal preparation processes, cutting down on waste while ensuring quality.
- Assisted in menu planning to cater to diverse patient dietary restrictions, ensuring balanced nutrition.
- Supported kitchen in managing dietary emergencies, ensuring patient needs were met promptly and accurately.
- Reduced meal preparation times by optimizing kitchen operations, without compromising food quality.
- Collaborated with healthcare professionals to update patient diets, aligning with treatment plans.
- Participated in regular training on food safety and dietary trends, staying ahead in nutritional knowledge.
Receptionist
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Managed front desk operations, ensuring efficient check-in and check-out processes for visitors and patients.
- Answered multi-line phone system, directing calls to appropriate departments while maintaining professionalism.
- Scheduled appointments and coordinated patient visits, enhancing overall customer experience and satisfaction.
- Maintained accurate patient records and confidential information in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
Activities Aide
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Assisted residents with daily living activities, enhancing overall quality of life.
- Organized and facilitated engaging recreational programs tailored to residents' interests.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment by adhering to health and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to ensure individualized care plans were followed consistently.
Dietary Prep
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Dietary Cook
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Prepared and cooked nutritious meals following dietary guidelines for residents.
- Maintained cleanliness of kitchen equipment and work areas to ensure safety standards.
- Collaborated with dietitians to modify menus based on individual dietary needs.
- Assisted in inventory management, tracking food supplies for optimal stock levels.
Dietary Aide
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Assisted in meal preparation and service to ensure dietary needs were met.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining areas and kitchen equipment for safety compliance.
- Followed dietary guidelines to deliver appropriate food options for residents.
- Collaborated with nursing staff to address specific nutritional requirements effectively.
Education
High School Diploma -
Valley Virtual Learning Academy
Canfield, OH2024
Skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Customer service
- Patient communication
- Team collaboration
- Verbal communication
- Food handling safety
- Detail-oriented
- Sanitation practices
- Relationship building
- Food safety
- Flexible schedule
- Computer skills
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Issue resolution
- Meal preparation
- Heavy lifting
- Allergen awareness
- Kitchen operations
Certification
BLS- Basic Life Support
Timeline
Dietary Aide
Aventura
10.2025 - Current
Culinary Ambassador
Mercy Health Hospital
06.2025 - 09.2025
Dietary Cook
Sabre Healthcare
08.2023 - 12.2023
Dietary Aide
Sabre Healthcare
08.2023 - 12.2023
Receptionist
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
Activities Aide
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
Dietary Prep
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
Dietary Cook
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
Dietary Aide
Saber Healthcare
09.2021 - 08.2023
High School Diploma -
Valley Virtual Learning Academy