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.