Dietary Aid

Primary Purpose: The purpose of the Dietary Aid is to assist Dietary employees in the preparation of foods for patients, hospital personnel, and guests in accordance with local and state regulations.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities: No formal responsibility.  The policies associated with the job’s purpose and essential responsibilities are set by others.

Routine Decision Making: Decides which foods to give to patients based on dietary requirements.

Formal Supervisory Responsibility: No formal supervisory responsibility.

Unusual Working Conditions: Working with and around various kitchen appliances and equipment.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks

Prepares fruits, vegetables, and salads for the salad bar. (50% of the time)

• Must always wash and prepare items per county and state sanitation regulations.
• Prepares salads for inpatient trays by 11:00am.
• Set up the cafeteria salad bar by 11:25am.
• Keep salad bar appropriately stocked during lunch time.
• Remove salad bar contents at 1:30pm and appropriately label and date.

In collaboration with the cook, fills inpatient trays and delivers to the units. (25% of the time)

• Provides each patient with appropriate utensils and condiments.
• Prepares each tray with the appropriate fruit, vegetables, salads and beverages by the appropriate time.
• Inform cook of all modified diets ordered by physician at all meals that are received through the Meditech system.
• Delivers inpatient food trays by appropriate time as defined by applicable state and federal regulations.

Cleans work areas, equipment, utensils and assists with dishes. (10% of the time)

• Must sanitize counter tops before the end of shift.
• Label, date, and store leftover food from current shift daily.
• Assist in putting away dishes daily.

Takes orders over the phone, and prepares or assists in the preparation and distribution of those orders for clients. (10% of the time)

• Prepares food for outpatient, ambulatory, or other non-inpatient areas as requested.
• Answers the phone promptly and professionally.
• Provides breakfast and coffee set-ups for meetings, as needed and delivers prior to scheduled meeting time (only applies to AM person). Other duties as assigned. (5% of the time)

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Light Work:  Lifting 20# maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10#.  Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job is in this category when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or pushing and pulling arm and/or leg controls.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Lifting:  Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).
• Carrying:  Transporting an object, usually holding it in hands or arms or on the shoulders.
• Pushing:  Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (including slapping, striking, kicking, and treadle actions).
• Pulling:  Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking).
• Climbing:  Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, ropes, and the like, using the feet and the legs and/or hands and arms.
• Balancing:  Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, or running on a narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces; or maintaining body equilibrium when performing gymnastic feats.
• Stooping:  Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist.
• Kneeling:  Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees.
• Crouching:  Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine.
• Crawling:  Moving about on the hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Reaching:  Extending the hands and arms in any direction.
• Handling:  Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hand or hands (fingering not involved).
• Fingering:  Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (rather than with the whole hand or arms as in handling).
• Repetitive Motions:  Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Feeling:  Perceiving such attributes of objects and materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture by means of receptors in the skin, particularly those of the fingertips.
• Seeing:  Obtaining impressions through the eyes of the shape, size, distance, motion, color or other characteristics of objects.

Education and Certification/ Registration required for the Position: High school education or equivalent preferred. Must possess a food handler’s permit within 30 days of employment.

Required Knowledge: Knowledge of weights and measures and of modified diets.

Required Skills and Ability: Ability to operate various kitchen appliances.