Dietary Aide

Primary Purpose of this Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide assistance in all food functions as directed/instructed and in accordance with established food policies and procedures. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Ensure that all food procedures are followed in accordance with established facility policies.

Food Service Functions

• Assist in daily or scheduled cleaning duties in accordance with established facility policies and procedures. 
• Carry out garbage and keep work areas clean, dry and free of hazardous equipment, supplies, etc. 
• Carry soiled utensils, etc., to wash area. 
• Remove food trays from carts, dining rooms, etc., and take to dishwashing area. 
• Deliver food carts, trays, etc., to designated areas. 
• Serve food in dining room as instructed. 
• Prepare and deliver snacks, etc., as instructed. 
• Assist in serving meals as necessary and on a timely basis. 
• Distribute and collect menus as necessary. 
• Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures. 
• Set up meal trays, food carts, dining room, etc., as instructed. 
• Return clean utensils to proper storage areas. 
• Assist in checking diet trays before distribution. 

Staff Development Functions

• Attend and participate in mandatory facility in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g.,
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), tuberculosis (TB), Health Insurance
• Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), abuse prevention, etc.).
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, in-service training programs, etc., as directed. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established facility policies.
• Follow established infection prevention and control policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.
• Follow safety regulations and precautions at all times.
• Ensure that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor on the shift in which they occur.
• Report all hazardous conditions/equipment to your supervisor immediately.
• Report missing/illegible labels or safety data sheets (SDSs) to your supervisor.
• Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Assist in inventorying and storing incoming food, supplies, etc., as necessary.

Miscellaneous Functions

• Assist in food preparation for special meals and events.
• Make only authorized food substitutions.

Working Conditions

• Works in the facility’s food and nutrition services areas (i.e., dining rooms, resident rooms, kitchen, activity rooms,
  etc.).
• Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas.
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and
  circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal duty hours on weekends and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day as well as reactions from
  dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to sudden temperature changes when entering refrigerator.
• May be exposed to heat/cold temperatures in kitchen/storage area. 
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maintains a liaison with other department directors to adequately plan for food services/activities.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. 

Education

• No minimum education requirements.

Experience

None. On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

• 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, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, the appearance of work areas and perform regular inspections of food service areas for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing food practices.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• 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/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.