Title:  Dietary Aide

Reports to: Dietary Manager/Supervisor

Position Summary:

The Dietary Aide is responsible for preparing and plating meals that meet the nutritional needs of the facility residents in a safe, resident-focused manner.  

Core Responsibilities:

• Assists with preparing meals following all necessary guidelines and regulations

• Reviews production sheets to determine type and quantities of food to be prepared

• Plates food and assembles trays as appropriate per diet order and resident preference on meal ticket 

• Prepares food/meals/trays according to planned menus and standardized recipes in a sanitary manner to ensure the utmost in quality with a minimum of waste 

• Reviews menus to identify all foods required for therapeutic diets before preparing food. 

• Reviews any menu or product issues with management, prior to making any changes, in order to get approval 

• Stock ingredients, monitor inventory and notify manager of low stock 

• Clean and sanitize food stations and wash dishes, cooking vessels and silverware

• Cleans dishes and cookware, as well as kitchen between meals when needed

• Breakdown, drain and clean dish machine at the end of each shift

• Make sure garbage cans are emptied, cleaned and relined during shift 

• Assist with daily and weekly cleaning/sanitizing requirements in the kitchen and dining areas including but not limited to: 

  • Work area, 

  • Refrigerators, freezers, ice machine, stoves, ovens, storage areas, etc. as assigned by manager

  • Sweep and mop the kitchen floor before leaving the shift for the day

• Follows work and break schedules as posted in the department 

• Maintains confidentiality of patient information in compliance with policies and regulations.

• Completes mandatory training provided by facility in a timely manner.

• Other duties, as assigned by management.                                                                                                                                  

Minimum Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Education / Training:

• Proven experience as a dietary aide preferred

• Further experience in customer service will be appreciated

• Knowledge of sanitation and safety guidelines preferred

• Skilled in preparing plates/tray in accordance with dietary guidelines

• Friendly with good communication skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required

Work Experience:

• Six (6) Months Dietary Aide experience in Long Term Care preferred

Certification, Licensure, Registration:

• Current ServSafe certification preferred

Other Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and understand the English language

• Requires interpersonal and communication skills to effectively deal with residents and their families to communicate dietary preferences and needs.

• Requires the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

• Requires the ability to gather resident dietary preferences and relay accurate information to professional staff.  

• Must embrace teamwork but can also work independently.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Effort:

• Walking, standing, heavy lifting and bending for most of shift.

Work Environment:

• Works in a patient care environment and is exposed to x-rays, infectious diseases, contaminated needles, as well as unpleasant odors and patient care activities.