Dietary Aide - Angels Nursing Health Center

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Dietary Supervisor, the Dietary Aide will provide food service assistance in the Dietary Department including but not limited to maintaining clean and sanitary conditions of food service areas, facilities, and equipment and assisting in some food preparation.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Performs food service and preparation duties in accordance with sanitary regulations, as well as our established policies and procedures.
2. Develops and maintains a good working rapport with department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility, to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients.
3. Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
4. Works with facility’s dietician as necessary to assist in diet room changes, diet changes, and nourishment and room changes.
5. Assists in departmental record keeping and cardex updates.
6. Assists in inventorying and storing in-coming food, supplies, etc., as necessary and calling in orders to vendors.
7. Assists in serving meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance, and on a timely basis.
8. Serves food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
9. Makes only authorized substitutions.
10. Performs dishwashing duties.
11. Operates and maintains dietary equipment as needed.
12. Coordinates duties and responsibilities with time schedules of meal services.
13. Follows established safety standards and infection control procedures.
14. Keeps work area clean and orderly by assisting in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
15. Assures that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
16. Reports equipment breakdown, equipment needs, and unsafe conditions.
17. Attends in-service education programs.
18. Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent patient care information to assure patient rights are protected.
19. Reviews complaints and grievances and makes necessary oral/written reports to the Dietary Supervisor.
20. Understands facility’s fire and disaster plans; follows established procedures during drills and actual emergencies.
21. Performs other department duties as needed or assigned by the Dietary Supervisor.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to fulfill each essential duty with a strong degree of professionalism.  This position requires a detail-oriented professional with excellent communication skills. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

·      Must minimally possess a High School diploma. 

·      One to Two years of food service experience in a fast-paced food services environment, preferably healthcare field.

·      Nutritional requirements and ordering experience is preferred.

LANGUAGE/REASONING AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS 

·      Must possess ability to speak, read and write English effectively.

·      Must possess emotional maturity, reliability, tact, integrity, and good judgment.

·      Must possess an understanding of facility’s goals and philosophy.

·      Must possess good problem solving skills with ability to plan, organize, and execute work activities independently.

·      Must possess ability to interact effectively with team members, residents, families and visitors.

·      Must possess knowledge of accreditation and licensing standards as they apply to resident care and safety.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The demands and environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job, Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

·            The physical demands and work environment described herein is representative of those that generally must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·            Work primarily involves standing, walking, twisting, reaching, bending/stooping, as it relates to standard office activity. 

·            Vision abilities required by this job includes good vision and depth perception, both near and far as well as ability to distinguish basic shades and colors. 

·            The noise level in the facility work environment is usually moderately quiet; however, at times, due to the nature of clients treated at this facility, occasional loud outbursts by residents may be expected.

·            The employee is required to hear within normal range and at a conversation level.

·            The employee is required to have the ability to express or exchange ideas frequently and the ability to understand communication of others with or without adaptive devices.

·            This position requires performing simple repetitive tasks regularly and performing complex or varied tasks often.

·            This position requires that employee have the ability to make generalizations, evaluations or decisions using independent judgment without immediate supervision.

·            This position requires the employee to work minimally 8 hours per day, five days per week.  Additional hours and days may be necessary to ensure adequate operations of the facility. 

·            This position may require the use of a computer for up to 4-6 hours per day.

DISCLAIMER

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.