Dietary Aid

About the Role

The Dietary Aide provides assistance in all dietary functions as directed and in accordance with established dietary policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Work with the facility's dietitian as necessary and implement recommended changes.
• Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
• Serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Assist in serving meals as necessary and on a timely basis.
• Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Assist in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, including cleaning work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators/freezers, sweeping and mopping floors, and carrying soiled utensils to wash areas.
• Return clean utensils to proper storage areas and wash/clean utensils as directed.
• Carry out garbage and maintain work areas clean, dry, and free of hazardous equipment or supplies.
• Set up meal trays, food carts, and dining room as instructed.
• Assist cook in preparing meals and distribute/collect menus as necessary.
• Obtain food supplies for the next meal and check diet trays before distribution.
• Deliver food carts and trays to designated areas and serve food in the dining room as instructed.
• Perform dishwashing and cleaning procedures, ensuring utensils are available for the next meal.
• Remove food trays from carts and dining rooms, taking them to the dishwashing area.
• Prepare and deliver snacks as instructed.
• Make only authorized food substitutions and assist in food preparation for special meals or parties.
• Ensure food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
• Assist in inventorying and storing incoming food and supplies.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident care information and knock before entering a resident's room.
• Report complaints to the Director of Food Services.
• Prepare food in accordance with sanitary regulations and established policies and procedures.
• Follow safety regulations, infection control, and universal precautions policies.
• Maintain the department in a clean and safe manner, reporting hazardous conditions or equipment immediately.
• Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner.
• Dispose of food and waste according to established policies and wear protective clothing when handling infectious waste.
• Report missing or illegible labels or MSDSs to supervisors.
• Develop and maintain good working rapport with inter-department personnel and other departments.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis.
• Participate in and assist with departmental studies and projects.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, and in-service programs as directed.

Working Conditions

• Works in well-lighted and ventilated areas, with a warm atmosphere for cooking.
• Moves intermittently during working hours and is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies under various conditions.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents or family members.
• Communicates with medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster).
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Subject to sudden temperature changes when entering refrigerators or kitchen/storage areas.
• Exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, including TB, AIDS, and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Physical Demands

The following are the physical demands of this job:

• Standing: Frequent, when preparing meal trays, washing dishes, etc.
• Walking: Frequent, brisk movement on matted/even surfaces (e.g., taking meal carts to dining room).
• Lifting (0-10 lbs): Constant, lifting meal trays, dishes, pots/pans, etc.
• Lifting (20 lbs): Occasional, lifting trash, buckets, etc.
• Lifting (50 lbs): Occasional, lifting deliveries, heavy trays of food, etc.
• Carrying (0-10 lbs): Frequent, carrying meal trays, dishes of food, etc.
• Carrying (20 lbs): Occasional, carrying deliveries, heavy trays of food, etc.
• Pushing: Frequent, pushing carts to dining room, carts with dishes, etc.
• Pulling: Frequent, when opening refrigerator doors.
• Bending, Torso (20 degrees): Frequent, leaning over work surfaces, reaching for items on shelves.
• Bending, Torso (45 degrees): Occasional, accessing low shelves in the pantry.
• Bending, Torso (90 degrees): Occasional, accessing dishwasher, loading carts, etc.
• Bending, Neck (5 degrees): Frequent, washing dishes, prep work, etc.
• Reaching (Full, extended reach): Constant, washing dishes, reaching for trays, etc.
• Reaching (Overhead): Occasional, accessing high shelves, water faucet, etc.
• Handling (Both hands and arms): Constant, preparing trays, handling pots, pans, food prep.
• Handling (Rotation of hand/wrist): Frequent, washing dishes, opening jars, peeling, scooping food.
• Gripping (Palmar Grasp): Constant, holding carts, dishes, trays, utensils.
• Fingering (Fine manipulation): Constant, labeling, food prep, etc.
• Fingering (Gross manipulation): Frequent, during food prep, using utensils.
• Climbing (Ramps and stairs): Occasional, taking carts up ramps, using step stools.
• Crouching: Constant, reaching low shelves, loading/unloading bottom of carts.
• Moving/Mechanical Parts: Occasional, working around slicers, mixers, and other kitchen devices.
• Talking: Frequent, coherent speech with residents and co-workers.
• Hearing (Loud noises): Seldom, fire alarms.
• Hearing (Soft noises): Frequent, listening to residents and co-workers.

Requirements

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight and hearing senses or use prosthetics to enable these senses to function adequately.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet general health requirements, including a medical and physical examination.
• Must relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and sometimes hostile people.
• Must lift up to 25 pounds and frequently carry dietary supplies.
• Requires frequent pushing and pulling of carts.
• May assist in evacuating residents during emergencies.
• Must read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Must make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government agencies.
• Must follow oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain care and use of supplies, equipment, and work areas.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm.
• Must seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing practices.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Qualifications

• Minimum education requirement: [grade level not specified].
• No prior experience required; on-the-job training provided.