BHA/Kitchen Support Specialist

Kitchen & Food Service

• Prepare and serve daily meals and snacks according to the facility's established meal schedule.
• Follow approved menus, portion guidelines, and dietary requirements.
• Accommodate approved special dietary needs of clients, including food allergies, dietary restrictions, medical diets, and cultural or religious dietary preferences, as communicated by the appropriate clinical or administrative staff.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen at all times.
• Follow all applicable food safety, sanitation, and infection-control procedures.
• Properly store, label, date, and rotate food and supplies.
• Monitor refrigerator, freezer, and food storage areas.
• Check food products for expiration dates, quality, and proper storage.
• Maintain appropriate kitchen inventory and notify leadership when supplies need to be reordered.
• Assist with meal planning and communicate supply needs to leadership.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, counters, appliances, dishes, and food preparation areas.
• Properly dispose of trash and maintain appropriate waste-management procedures.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
• Maintain kitchen documentation and logs as required.
• Assist with receiving and putting away food and supply deliveries.
• Ensure clients are provided meals in a timely and respectful manner.
• Maintain professional boundaries and appropriate interactions with clients while performing kitchen duties.

When Assigned BHA Duties

• Maintain a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for clients.
• Monitor client activity and report safety concerns or behavioral changes to nursing or supervisory staff.
• Assist with maintaining appropriate client supervision according to program requirements.
• Support clients with daily living activities and program routines as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with nursing, clinical, and administrative staff.
• Assist with maintaining a clean and safe residential environment.
• Follow facility policies, procedures, and client confidentiality requirements.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and follow established emergency procedures.
• Complete required documentation and shift reports.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all clients.
• Report incidents, safety concerns, contraband, or other significant observations to the appropriate staff member.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous food service, kitchen, dietary, hospitality, or institutional food-service experience preferred.
• Previous experience working in behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, residential treatment, healthcare, or a similar setting preferred.
• Food-handler certification or ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain as required.
• Ability to follow food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow documented dietary restrictions and special dietary requirements.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must be dependable, punctual, and able to maintain a consistent work schedule.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry food, kitchen supplies, and other items as required.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and perform routine kitchen-cleaning duties.
• Ability to safely operate standard kitchen equipment.
• Ability to respond quickly to client and facility needs.