Dietary Aide

Purpose of Your Job Position
The primary purpose of your job position is to provide assistance in all dietary functions as directed/ instructed and in accordance with established dietary policies and procedures.

Delegation of Authority
As a Dietary Aide, you are delegated the authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions
Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. 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 an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Functions
•    Work under the supervision of the facility Dietary manager/supervisor and the corporate dietitian as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
•    Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
•    Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed.

Personnel Functions
•    Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as with other departments within the facility to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients.
•    Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.

Staff Development Functions
•    Participate in and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become nec- essary.
•    Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, in-service training programs, etc., as directed.

Dietary Service Functions
•    Assist in serving meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance as necessary and on a timely basis, following established portion control procedures.
•    Assist in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
•    Perform dishwashing and cleaning procedures as directed, including: cleaning work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators/freezers, etc.; sweeping and mopping floors as directed; bussing tables; re- turning clean utensils to proper storage areas; washing and cleaning utensils as directed.
•    Carry out garbage and keep work areas clean, dry and free of hazardous equipment, supplies, etc.
•    Set up prior to meals, and remove following meals, meal trays, food carts, dining room, etc., as in- structed.
•    Assist cook in preparing meals and supplies, and checking diet trays before distribution.
•    Deliver food carts, trays, etc., to designated areas.
•    Serve food in dining room as instructed.
•    Prepare and deliver snacks, etc., as instructed.
 
Safety and Sanitation
•    Prepare food, etc., in accordance with sanitary regulations as well as with our established policies and procedures.
•    Follow ALL safety and Infection Control 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, hazardous conditions/equipment and missing/illegible labels of MSDSs to your supervisor immediately on the shift in which they occur, or are discovered.
•    Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.
•    Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies.

Equipment and Supply Functions
•    Ensure that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
•    Assist in inventorying and storing in-coming food, supplies, etc., as necessary.

Patient Rights Functions
•    Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent patient care information.
•    Adhere to all facility patient rights and privacy policies and procedures.
•    Report complaints to the Director of Food Services/Dietary Manager/Supervisor.

Miscellaneous Functions
•    Make only authorized food substitutions.
•    Assist in food preparation for special meals for parties, etc.
Working Conditions
•    Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.
•    Moves intermittently during working hours.
•    Is subject to frequent interruptions from patients, personnel, visitors, government agencies/ personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
•    Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients, family members, etc.
•    Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors.
•    Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, in other positions temporarily, when necessary, and in call-back situations (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
•    Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
•    Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
•    Is subject to sudden temperature changes when entering cold storage and oven areas.
•    Is subject to exposure to hazardous chemicals, infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including
TB, Covid variants, AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

Education
•    Must possess an educational background sufficient to meet the specific job 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 patiently, tactfully, with a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm with personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the
•    general public based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
•    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 as- signed duties.
•    Must be willing to follow all company, state and regulatory policies related to Infection Control and Vaccination requirements.
•    Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

• Covid vaccination exemptions are allowed with prior-approval 
• Physical and Sensory Requirements
  (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)
  •    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 due to relating to and working with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people.
  •    Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function ade- quately 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 patients, personnel, and support agencies.
  •    Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility.
  •    Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a reasonable minimum of pounds to a reasonable height and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a reasonable distance.
  •    May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of patients during emergency situations.
  
  Job Position Analysis Information
  YES    Tasks assigned to this position MAY involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals
  YES    Functions Require Repetitive Motion
  YES    Weight Lifting requirements do apply.
  YES    Functions Require Prolonged Sitting, Standing, and/or Bending