Dietary Aide

Principle Functions - Dietary Aide

To provide nourishing food to residents, guests and employees under sanitary conditions and as directed in accordance with established policies and procedures. Communicates with residents, dietary personnel, and other personnel as well as family members, visitors, and the general public.  

Position Duties

• Follow work assignments, and/or work schedules in completing and performing assigned tasks.
• Assists in maintaining the dietary department in a safe, and sanitary manner and reports any problems to Dietary Manager
• Responsible for scraping, stacking, washing and sanitizing dishes, flatware, utensils, pots/pans, etc. and for removing broken and chipped dishes and glassware from use. Wraps flatware if needed. 
• Properly transports and stores dishes, flatware, pots/pans etc. Responsible for having sufficient quantities of clean and sanitized dishes, flatware, utensils, pots/pans, etc, to meet time schedule for meal preparation and service. 
• Cleans and sanitizes the dish machine and dish room. Empties and cleans/sanitizes the trash can. Keeps work area clean and uncluttered and completes assigned cleaning duties, 
• Sets up trays for service, sorts diet cards and/or selective menus.
• Serves trays on tray line and checks trays for accuracy of diets, preferences, and quality before they are delivered. Deliver cards to floors as needed.
• Busses tables in dining room and wipes table tops, if needed.
• Attends in-service and other necessary training.
• Communicates and cooperates with the staff, patients and their families
• Estimates food requirements to eliminate waste and leftovers.  Properly stores and utilizes leftover food.
• Maintains a clean working area during food production.
• Assures late trays are properly processed and that between meal feedings are prepared and delivered, as applicable, to floors.
• Follow established safety precautions in the performance of all duties.
• Shares responsibility for maintaining a clean and safe environment.
• Reports to work as scheduled and in a timely manner.   Alerts appropriate personnel to staffing needs.
• Floats to other departments / facilities as directed.
• Maintains a professional approach with confidentiality.   Assures protection and privacy of health information as attained through written, electronic or oral disclosures.
• Displays concern and initiative.  Is resourceful and calm in emergencies.
• Is prompt and efficient with minimal absences. 
• Cooperates and maintains good rapport with nursing staff, medical staff, other departments, and visitors.
• Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws, as well as hospital polices that apply to assigned duties.
• Complies with hospital expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct.
• Complies with federal and hospital requirements in the areas of protected health information and patient privacy.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Must be able to work a variety of shifts 
• Experience in a kitchen is preferred but will train the right candidate. 
• Must have a sincere interest in food service and enjoy working with geriatric patients. 
• Must have knowledge of, or be willing to learn, therapeutic and modified diet information to use in preparing and serving patient trays.  
• Must have knowledge of or be willing to learn, correct sanitation procedures and use these on a daily basis.
• Must possess and use excellent customer service and communication skills. 
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.

Working Conditions

The employee may be exposed to blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other hazardous wastes, (i.e. Hepatitis, Aids, Tuberculosis).  Proper precautions will be taught and provided by the hospital.  There is exposure to temperature extremes, humidity, noise and wet floors.  There is exposure to cleaning solutions that may require the use of gloves and goggles.   Extensive lifting, bending, stooping and reaching are required.  The position requires a considerable amount of walking, stooping, pulling, lifting, feeling, hearing, and repetitive motions.  Must be able to stand for long periods, occasional overhead and low reaching, and to exert force of up to 50 lbs. occasionally, up to 20 lbs. frequently and/or up to 10 lbs. constantly. Patient care activities may require the ability to lift of up to 30 lbs. constantly, up to 40 lbs. occasionally and up to 100 lbs. rarely.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.