Part Time or PRN COOK/DIETARY AIDE

Purpose of Your Job Position:

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist with food preparation, dining room preparation and cleanup.

Delegation of Authority:

As a dietary aide you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions:

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position. Tasks assigned to this position involve and/or direct exposure to blood/bodily fluids.

Duties & Responsibilities; Not limited to

Kitchen

• Assist in preparing foods using the established daily menu and present them in an attractive and palliative manner.
• Maintain a clean, orderly and safe kitchen environment.
• Document all food temperatures at all meal times.
• Document temperatures taken on all coolers, freezers, dishwasher and sanitizer on a daily basis.
• Receives deliveries and invoices.
• Readies needed supplies for special events and activities.
• Assists in maintaining inventory. Proper stock rotation (FIFO – First in, first out).
• Ensure proper handling, labeling, dating and storage of opened food.
• Prepare drinks and silverware before every meal. Cart must be ready 20 minutes prior to meal/snack start time.
• Serve food through kitchen opening.
• Bus tables, sweep and sanitize tables/great room after all meals and snacks.
• Wash, Sort, and sanitize dishes and put them away.
• Clean equipment, appliances, floors, drains, storage areas, refrigerators, freezers and sinks on a reoccurring basis and as needed.
• Assist in preparing food according to prep list.
• Take out garbage every shift.

Appearance

• Wears appropriate clothing as described in the dress code policy.
  • Scrubs or jeans/khakis and a collared shirts. Scrubs are preferred.
• Maintain clean clothing/uniform and shoes. Closed toed shoes with socks.
• Name badge is part of dress code uniform.
• Hair pulled back away from face; hairnet or cap.

Communication/Documentation

• Report to nurse on duty any changes in resident's condition; physical, mental, skin, behavior, anything out of the normal, etc.
• Report any change in how a resident responds to group snacks, meals, etc. (behavioral, social and physical) to nursing staff.
• Document the appropriate incident with the appropriate time, witness, place, date and everything necessary as if in the 3rd person.
• Document daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual required forms.
• Communicate to your supervisor and if instructed; document to assure all record keeping is up to date, timely, accurate and complete.
• Communicate to your supervisor and if instructed; document resident concerns.
• Communicate to your supervisor and if instructed; document safety concerns.
• Volunteer assistance and communicate to co-workers as time permits and/or as directed.
• Communicate and treat co-workers with courtesy, respect and in a supportive manner at all times.
• Resolve interpersonal conflict with co-workers directly, privately; seek dietary supervisor assistance as necessary.
• Interact with residents and maintain resident-centered conversations when residents are present.
• Maintain an environment for residents, families and guests that values and respects the uniqueness of each individual.
• Record keeping to assure current, accurate, timely, and complete.
• Documentation to reflect conversations or concerns identifying; family concerns, incidents, discharge, admission, etc.

Infection Control

• Demonstrates knowledge of infection control practices by compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Washes hands as appropriate; between residents, services and when entering and exiting the facility.
• Uses universal precautions according to facility policy including use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Uses universal precautions according to facility policy including when cleaning up blood and body fluid using the spill kit when indicated.
• Proper disposal of waste product, each shift and prior to shift end.

Education/Training

• Attends department meetings, all staff meetings, mandatory in-services and training.
• Requires training with Maple View Memory Care to be completed annually and monthly.
• Required annual department trainings.
• Understands and uses universal precautions, OSHA blood borne pathogen standard and follows established infection control, hazardous communication and all safety rules.
• Demonstrates competency in areas of assignment or identifies the need for additional training/education. Communicates with supervisor regarding the need for additional training prior to shift when on own.
• Acquires and maintains current knowledge of practice in this department. Seeks knowledge, skills and understanding to practice in the setting.
• Maintains certification in CPR and First Aid.

Resident Rights

• Address residents by preferred name and avoid labels such as sweetie, honey and dear.
• Discuss resident status in private with the appropriate personnel.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident conversation unless doing so would jeopardize resident well-being.
• Treat residents courteously, politely and in a physically appropriate manner.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information. Uses discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.
• Respond to family/resident complaints consistent within facility policy.
• Knowledgeable about resident rights and respects rights at all times.

Resident Safety/Sanitary Environment Concerns

• Demonstrates knowledge and use of proper body mechanics when performing tasks.
• Assesses safety of the environment and takes initiative to remove unsafe items or seek immediate assistance.
• Proper and safe handling of equipment.
• Follows fire safety and disaster policies and procedures.
• Follows facility evacuation plan.
• Reports emergent resident concerns to your supervisor or the Nurse Manager immediately.
• Documents any recognized emergency and non-emergency environmental concerns on the Maintenance Request Form.
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to unsafe situations. Report accidents and incidents immediately to your supervisor.

Upholds Mission/Values of Maple View

• Demonstrates the qualities and values stated in the mission statement. These include the values of candor, integrity, respect and fun. Promotes a culture that supports these values.
• Demonstrates loyalty to management, residents and employees of Maple View.
• Maintains a positive attitude.
• Works well with co-workers and other department personnel.
• Treats other employees, residents, visitors and family members with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrates loyalty to Maple View.
• Fosters a teamwork environment and is a team player.
• Carries out assigned duties in a responsible and professional manner.
• Adheres to company employee handbook and handbook addenda.
• Adheres to company policies, procedures, rules and state/federal regulations. Including HIPPA and Confidentiality policies.

Working Conditions

• Works throughout the resident areas.
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions. Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, holidays, and in other positions temporarily as necessary.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), etc.

Qualifications/Specific Requirements

• Previous dietary experience desired.
• Have a passion for working with the elderly population.
• Ability to make appropriate judgement calls during crisis situations.
• Ability to use critical thinking.
• Ability to communicate with residents, families, visitors and other employees.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language and follow oral and written instructions.
• 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 possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must be willing to spend a minimum of 25% of time on the floor with residents, visitors, families and other employees.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerfulness disposition and enthusiasm.
• Requires use of gloves and/or personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to manage difficult resident behaviors through use of critical thinking and observing body language.

Physical and Sensory Requirement (with or without aid of mechanical device)

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
• 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 be able to see and hear OR use prosthetics that will enable these sense to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times hostile people in the facility.
• Must be able to stoop, turn, bend, stretch, crawl, kneel, reach overhead, horizontally and down and lift, push, pull and move a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Requires frequent standing and walking.
• Works near machinery with moving parts.
• Requires frequent work with dust, powders, sprays, mists, vapors, odors and chemicals.
• Must be able to smell, discriminate speech, speak clearly, discriminate color and possess intact peripheral vision.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents/tenants.
• Requires use of hands, arms, legs, feet, torso, eyes, nose and mouth.
• Requires balancing and rapid mental-muscular coordination.
• Requires ability to read/define body language of non-verbal residents, families, visitors and employees.