Dining Services Assistant - Franciscan Ministries

Join our brand-new community CopperWood at Prairie Trail, located in Ankeny, Iowa. We prioritize the wellbeing of our residents by offering a lifestyle focused on health, heart, and soul. Our innovative approach to senior living empowers residents to maintain their independence fully.

The Dining Services Assistant aids in all dietary functions as directed/instructed by the Director of Dining Services. They deliver prepared foods to the serving areas, serve, and clean-up after each meal. They may work alone or as part of a team in preparing meals for residents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve and handle food in accordance with sanitation regulations
• Responsible for the cleanliness and sanitation of the dining room and prep kitchen
• Reset the dining room
• Handle trays, equipment, tableware, and linens, in a proper and safe manner
• Treat residents with dignity and respect

Required skills and qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent (preferred)
• Previous food experience a plus
• Flexible schedule, including availability to work weekends and holidays as needed
• Must enjoy working with the senior population

Mission/Values:

• Supports, upholds, and maintains the Mission and Philosophy of the Community and promotes it in a positive manner in all business interactions within and outside the facility. Demonstrates loyalty and pride in the facility, its associates, and departments.
• Respects and safeguards the confidentiality of information regarding residents/clients, co-workers, and the facility.
• Projects a professional and caring demeanor in interactions with residents/clients, family members, visitors, and co-workers.
• Takes responsibility for maintaining a clean, neat, and orderly environment. Uses equipment, supplies, and other materials with a focused effort to reduce waste.
• Demonstrates an attitude of teamwork when interacting with other associates within the facility. As such, consistently demonstrates respect for self and for others in manner (body language, dress), word (spoken language), and action (behavior).
• Takes ownership of job responsibilities by initiating prompt and appropriate action/follow-up to problems. Ensures appropriate resolution.
• Anticipates the needs of residents/clients and co-workers in a proactive fashion, seeking to meet those needs even before a formal request is made.
• Welcomes suggestions and new ideas as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve services.

Position Requirements:

• Minimum Education: Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent or enrolled in a High School at the 10th Grade or Higher pursuing a HS Diploma
• Applicable Experience: One year experience as Dietary Aide.

Essential Functions: General Working Conditions:

• Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Communicates with the nursing staff and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Attends and participates in continuing education programs.
• Subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the day.
• Exposed to heat/cold temperatures in the kitchen/storage area.

Physical Demands of the Position:

• Must be able to stoop by bending the body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Must be able to kneel by bending legs at the knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Must be able to crouch by bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Must be able to reach by extending hand(s) in any direction.
• Must be capable of standing for sustained periods of time.
• Must be able to move about on foot to accomplish tasks.
• Must have the ability to push using upper extremities to exert force to draw, press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Must be able to pull using upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Must be capable of lifting objects from lower to higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Requires substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
• Must withstand substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hand/or fingers.