Dietary Aide

Location: Swanton, OH | Department: Dietary Services | FLSA Status: Non-Exempt | Shifts: Part-time, Full-time

About the role

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide assistance in all dietary functions as directed/instructed and in accordance with established dietary policies and procedures. As a Dietary Aide, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel and other departments to meet the needs of the residents.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
• Participate in and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, and in-service training programs.
• Serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance, observing sanitation and safety requirements.
• Assist in serving meals on a timely basis and in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Perform daily or scheduled cleaning duties, including:
  • Cleaning work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators/freezers.
  • Sweeping and mopping floors.
  • Carrying soiled utensils (including sharp utensils) to wash area and returning clean utensils to proper storage.
  • Washing and cleaning utensils, including sharp utensils.
  • Carrying out garbage and maintaining clean, dry, and hazard-free work areas.
• Set up meal trays, food carts, and dining rooms as instructed.
• Assist cook in preparing meals.
• Distribute and collect menus, obtain food supplies for the next meal, and check diet trays before distribution.
• Deliver food carts and trays to designated areas and perform dishwashing/cleaning procedures.
• Prepare and deliver snacks as instructed.
• Prepare food in accordance with sanitation regulations and established policies.
• Follow safety regulations, infection control, and universal precautions policies.
• Maintain a clean and safe department, reporting hazardous conditions or equipment immediately.
• Report accidents/incidents to your supervisor on the shift they occur.
• Maintain food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner.
• Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste, blood/body fluids, or sharp utensils.
• 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.
• Make only authorized food substitutions.
• Assist in food preparation for special meals or parties.

Requirements

• Must possess, as a minimum, a 12th grade education.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or possess a work permit.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government agencies.
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies and equipment, and perform regular inspections of food service areas for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of duties.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, and be willing to handle residents based on their maturity level.
• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing dietary practices.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight and hearing senses or use prosthetics that 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 be able and willing to wear required hair coverings on head and/or beard as applicable.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and occasionally hostile people.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of twenty-five pounds.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Working Conditions

• Works in well-lighted and ventilated areas, though the atmosphere may be warm for cooking.
• Moves intermittently during working hours and is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies, and others under all conditions and circumstances.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• 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).
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Subject to sudden temperature changes when entering refrigerators.
• May be exposed to heat/cold in kitchen/storage areas.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to handling and exposure to hazardous chemicals and sharp objects (e.g., knives, food processor blades).

Qualifications

• No prior experience required; on-the-job training provided.