Dietary Aide/Dishwasher

Position Introduction

Are you looking for a rewarding job where your work makes a difference every day? We are looking for a dependable, hardworking, and positive Dietary Aide / Dishwasher to join our dietary team.

Our Dietary Department plays an important role in making our residents feel at home. Meals are more than just food—they are an important part of each resident's health, comfort, routine, and quality of life. The Dietary Aide / Dishwasher helps ensure residents receive meals in a clean, safe, welcoming environment while supporting the kitchen team with meal service, sanitation, dishwashing, and food preparation.

No previous healthcare experience is required. We are happy to train the right person who has a great attitude, strong work ethic, and a desire to serve others.

Position Summary

The Dietary Aide / Dishwasher assists with the daily operation of the facility's Dietary Department. Responsibilities include preparing dining areas and meal trays, assisting with food preparation and service, washing and sanitizing dishes and kitchen equipment, maintaining a clean and sanitary kitchen, and providing friendly service to residents.

The position works closely with dietary staff, nursing staff, and other members of the facility team to ensure meals are provided safely and according to each resident's prescribed diet, preferences, and plan of care.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesMeal Service

• Assist with preparing and setting up resident meal trays and dining areas.
• Serve meals and beverages according to established menus, portion sizes, and resident preferences.
• Follow resident diet orders, including therapeutic diets, texture-modified diets, and prescribed liquid consistencies.
• Verify meal trays are prepared accurately according to facility procedures.
• Deliver and retrieve meal trays as assigned.
• Assist with snacks, nourishments, beverages, and hydration programs.
• Provide courteous and respectful service to residents during meals.
• Promptly communicate resident food concerns, preferences, or changes in eating patterns to the appropriate staff member.

Dishwashing and Sanitation

• Operate commercial dishwashing equipment safely and correctly.
• Wash, rinse, sanitize, and properly store dishes, utensils, cookware, trays, and kitchen equipment.
• Maintain appropriate dish-machine temperatures and/or sanitizer concentrations in accordance with facility procedures.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, sinks, counters, carts, equipment, and other dietary areas.
• Sweep and mop floors and maintain a clean and organized dish room and kitchen.
• Remove trash and dispose of waste according to facility procedures.
• Assist with cleaning refrigerators, freezers, storage areas, dining areas, and other assigned spaces.
• Follow established cleaning schedules and complete required documentation.

Food Preparation

• Assist cooks and other dietary staff with basic food preparation as assigned.
• Portion foods, beverages, desserts, snacks, and nourishments.
• Stock food, supplies, utensils, and disposable products.
• Properly label, date, store, and rotate food using established food-safety procedures.
• Follow safe food-handling practices to prevent contamination and foodborne illness.

Resident Safety & Quality

• Follow each resident's diet order and swallowing precautions as communicated by the facility.
• Never independently change a resident's diet, food texture, or liquid consistency.
• Immediately report suspected errors or concerns involving resident meals or diets.
• Maintain resident dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Report concerns regarding resident safety, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation in accordance with facility policy and applicable reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred but not required.
• Previous dietary, restaurant, kitchen, healthcare, or dishwashing experience is helpful but not required.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Positive attitude and willingness to help others.
• Ability to communicate respectfully with residents, families, coworkers, and visitors.
• Must meet applicable facility, state, and federal employment requirements.
• Must complete required food-safety and facility training.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
• Safely lifting and carrying items typically encountered in dietary operations.
• Working around hot surfaces, steam, water, cleaning products, and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Tolerating temperature changes associated with kitchens, refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashing areas.
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment when required.

Infection Control & Food Safety

The Dietary Aide / Dishwasher is expected to:

• Follow facility infection prevention and control policies.
• Perform proper hand hygiene and use gloves and other PPE when indicated.
• Follow safe food storage, preparation, holding, and service practices.
• Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
• Follow established procedures for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and surfaces.
• Immediately report food-safety, sanitation, equipment, or infection-control concerns.

Skills and Characteristics We Value

We are looking for someone who is:

• Dependable – Residents and coworkers can count on you.
• Caring – You understand that the people we serve deserve kindness and respect.
• Hardworking – You are willing to jump in and help wherever needed.
• Team-oriented – You recognize that great resident care takes an entire team.
• Detail-oriented – You understand that diet accuracy and sanitation are important resident-safety issues.
• Positive – You contribute to a supportive and welcoming workplace.

Why Work in Long-Term Care?

Working in a skilled nursing facility gives you an opportunity to build relationships with the people you serve. Residents quickly get to know the dietary staff who bring their meals, remember their preferences, and brighten their day.

You don't need to be a nurse or caregiver to make a meaningful difference in someone's life. A warm meal, a clean dining room, a favorite snack, and a friendly conversation can be some of the best parts of a resident's day.

If you're dependable, willing to work hard, and want to be part of a team that cares about its residents, we'd love to meet you.

Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17 - $19