Dietary Aide
Classification Reports to
Non-Exempt Director of Dietary Services
Summary/Objective
In keeping with our organization’s goal of improving the lives of the Guests we serve, the Dietary Aide is responsible for providing superior customer service to Guests and employees. The Dietary Aide will help to assure that the dietary department is maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary manner by providing assistance in all dietary functions as directed and in accordance with established dietary policies and procedures. The Dietary Aide will assist in the preparation of food to assure the quality of nutritional services are provided.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Assist in the preparation of meals and beverages.
- Participate in the food tray line and prepare trays according to diet cards in an efficient manner to meet scheduled meal and snack times.
- Assist with loading food carts and serving meals to Guests and staff.
- Bag and store food items as directed.
- Clean and wrap silverware, inspecting each piece to make sure it is clean before wrapping.
- Bus and clean tables after meal time throughout the facility.
- Scrape, wash, and rack unclean dishes and utensils.
- Assist in the operation of the dishwashing machine.
- Sort and stack clean dishes and inspect for cleanliness.
- Place clean dishes, utensils and cutlery in their proper storage place.
- Participate in table setup which includes but not limited to tablecloth, silverware, dishware and filling cups with water.
- Discard waste/trash into proper containers in accordance with established sanitation procedures and guidelines.
- Assure that work area is clean and free of hazardous conditions such as spills, excess carts, and etc.
- Assure that equipment, tools and supplies are properly stored at all times.
- Report all equipment malfunctions and breakdowns to the supervisor and keep the supervisor informed of supply needs.
- Report all hazardous conditions and equipment along with any accidents/incidents to the Dietary Supervisor.
- Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Guests, visitors, families, peers and supervisors.
- Attend and participate in meetings and in-services as directed or scheduled.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to blood or other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here representative those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance and stoop, squat or kneel. The employee will frequently will assist to lift and/or transfer objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision.
Infection Control
Applies hand washing principles during daily work; demonstrates understanding of isolation and standard precautions; recognizes signs and symptoms of infection and complies with the employee health program; demonstrates understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste; maintains personal hygiene; complies with OSHA standards in the work place; and demonstrates understanding of cross-contamination.
Language Skills
Must be able to speak and write in the English language in an understandable manner. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond quickly to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
Resident Rights
Promotes and protects residents’ rights; assists residents to make informed decisions; treats residents with dignity and respect; protects residents’ personal belongings; reports suspected abuse or neglect; avoids the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards; supports independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable law and regulation.
Continuing Education
Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.
Required Education and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Servsafe Certification preferred
- One year experience as a Dietary Aide preferred
