Dietary Aide Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Position is located in San Marcos, CA.

Join the Team Voted Best Place to Work in North County!

Why Work for Gary and Mary West PACE?

Because you're looking for more than just a job - you want work/life balance and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of North County seniors and their families.

At Gary and Mary West PACE, we support your personal and professional well-being with:

• Generous pay and a comprehensive benefits package focused on your health and wellness.
• 11 paid holidays, 13 days of PTO, and 5 days of sick time.
• A 5% employer match to our 403(b) retirement plan.
• No on-call time – because your time matters.

We invest in our team with an annual education allowance and a commitment to professional growth, helping you expand your skills and advance your career.

You'll thrive in a supportive, mission-driven culture where collaboration feels like family. As part of our multi-disciplinary team, your voice is heard, and your work is truly valued.

Join us and do your best work-because here, your contribution matters.

About PACE

Philanthropists Gary and Mary West founded West Health with the mission of enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. The Gary and Mary West PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), affiliated with West Health ( is a non-profit that delivers medical, social, and behavioral services to the frail elderly to the North County of San Diego. This PACE center is entrepreneurial in nature and focuses on innovations and bringing new processes to the traditional PACE environment.

We're looking for passionate healthcare providers who want to be part of a team dedicated to enable seniors to live in their communities as independently as possible by providing compassionate, comprehensive health and supportive care.

One Team One Mission

Position Summary:

The GMW PACE Dietary Aide Lead assists the Dietary Supervisor and Dietitians in leading the Dietary team in delivering safe, high-quality, and therapeutic nutrition services to program participants. This role ensures that vendor-prepared meals are properly received, handled, and prepared for service in accordance with established standards. The Dietary Aide Lead monitors and records temperatures of all heating and cooling equipment as required, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. They also maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment always.

In addition, the Dietary Aide Lead collaborates effectively with team members, vendors, and other stakeholders to support GMW PACE's mission, values, and a positive team culture.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Registered Dietitian in provision of safe, therapeutic nutrition services that meet the diverse needs of GMW PACE participants.
• Lead the Kitchen Aide team on daily tasks to ensure participants food service is provided.
• Receive vendor-prepared food and place in steam table to prepare for meal service.
• Measure and record temperatures of the food on delivery and at regular intervals, prior to serving, assuring that food remains safe for serving and within ranges indicated in GMW PACE P&Ps.
• Plate the food for meal service, identifying meals that meet individual participants' special dietary needs as ordered. Oversee and assists with preparing alternate, pre-determined menu items as needed,
• Provide direction to ensure snacks are prepared for activities as requested.
• Lead and assist Kitchen Aide staff with serving as needed.
• Ensure kitchen thermometers are checked and calibrated weekly or as needed.
• Label and date all perishable food in GMWPACE refrigerator and freezer, including any pre-packaged meals for home delivery, making sure all food is fresh and safe for consumption.
• Label and date all non-perishable food in the GMW PACE pantry, rotating inventory to maintain freshness.
• Communicate needs for additional food items and/or supplies to the Registered Dietitian.
• Measure and record water temperature and chemical levels of the dishwasher regularly and assist with ordering necessary chemicals.
• Ensure the kitchen area always remains clean and sanitary, including washing the dishes and counters between meal services and at the end of the day, mopping the floor daily, and taking the trash to outside dumpster daily.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Protect privacy and maintain the confidentiality of all company procedures and information about employees, participants, and families.
• Follow GMW PACE policies and procedures and participate in any required Quality Improvement activities, staff training, and meetings
• Complete CACFP training annually
• Document meal counts for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack in EMR daily
• Other duties as assigned.

Lead:

• Serve as the lead point of contact for quarterly County Health Inspections
• Responsible for ordering kitchen food and supplies
• Serve as a role model, provide guidance and always demonstrate professionalism to all team members.
• Guide and assist new team members in integration into GMWP culture and environment.
• Monitor time management and productivity of new and current team members.

 

Education and Certification:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred.
• ServSafe Certification required within 30 days of hire.
• Original valid driver license with proof of auto insurance.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of one-year experience in food service or preparation, working with a frail or elderly population.
• Ability to process accurate information in a timely manner.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to follow directions from supervisor and communicate needs effectively.
• Experience and competency working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to unlocking the full potential of our most vulnerable seniors.

Medical Clearance:

Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.

Job offers are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug screen, background check, and physical assessment.

Gary and Mary West PACE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, military and veteran status, age, physical and mental disability, genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation or any other considerations made unlawful by applicable state or local laws.