Dietary Aide for Senior Living Community

Position Summary :


This position waits on tables in the restaurant/dining room, keeps the restaurant and service areas clean and assists with special functions. This position assists with weekly inventory, receives all vendor deliveries, checks in, unpacks and stores products. This position also washes and sanitizes cooking and serving items as well as kitchen equipment, walls, and floors.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

The following duties are normal for this position. This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Maintain proper table settings, placement of flatware, glasses, napkins, condiment dishes, and vases. Ensure salt and pepper shakers and sugar holders are filled and clean. Keep table linens clean and properly placed on tables.
• Serve residents promptly, courteously, and in an orderly manner. Serve from left, pour beverages and clear from right. Remove empty dishes before serving next course.
• After meal service, take all remaining dishes on tables to kitchen. Clean tables and chairs. Reset tables for next meal. Sweep and mop floors.
• Prepare for and work special functions.
• Demonstrate positive resident relations and community's quality care and service standards to residents, families, and guests. Maintain positive, cheerful attitude at all times.
• Follow sanitation and safe food handling guidelines.
• Use Point of Sale system accurately with minimal errors.
• Follow individualized plan of care (ISP) for each assigned resident. Observe residents for change in condition and report any changes immediately to nursing supervisor. Document daily care and red flags throughout the shift especially rounds at night as they occur.
• May check and record vital signs, weights, and other duties as assigned in accordance with state regulations and community policies.
• Provide for or assist residents with activities of daily living as needed, including bathing/showing according to schedule, oral care, toileting, dressing, etc. Perform restorative nursing techniques including proper positioning, ADL training, and Passive Range of Motion. Assist in providing appropriate information and behavioral prompts, cues, redirection, and affirming support to residents in need.
• Encourage residents to participate in scheduled activities; assist residents in getting to activities. Coordinate and assist with activities as directed.
• Assist residents with transfers and ambulation as directed, using proper body mechanics, back supports, and mechanical devices as required. Provide transportation for residents within facility and, at times, accompany to appointments outside facility.
• Respond to urgent calls as assigned and in timely manner.
• Provide back up support to other departments, as needed. Work as a team with nursing in support of resident care. Assists in problem solving in stand-up communication or meetings with nurse and or Director.
• Empty trash in resident's rooms and other resident areas as needed. Keep resident's rooms, dining area, utility room, and other areas of the facility clean and orderly. Keep environment safe for residents (hallways clear of equipment and floors free of debris and linen).
• Change bed linens according to facility policy. Provide laundry services as necessary.
• Requisition and charge resident supplies as needed.
• Maintain restraint free environment at all times. Support fall prevention programs for all residents in need. This includes proactive intervention use, monitoring, safety in the rooms and rounds.
• Help welcome and transfer residents according to facility procedure.
• Attend in-service classes and staff meetings, as required.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities :

The position falls under the direct supervision of the Department Director but is expected to perform independently and exercise good judgment. The position does not assist with the supervision, direction, oversight, direction, and evaluation of the work of other employees.

Qualifications : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.


Educational Requirements and Experience :

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.
• Nursing Assistant Training Program certificate (approved by the State Board of Nursing) preferred.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred.
• CPR and First Aid Certification, if required per state regulations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Ability to read and write, follow written and oral instructions and communicate effectively in English. Ability to work with the elderly in a courteous and friendly manner, demonstrating patience and compassion towards the elderly. Ability to perform duties with consideration for residents' rights at all times and demonstrate integrity and confidentiality in the care of residents and in handling their health information.

Technical Skills :

Ability to safely handle food in accordance with facility policies and procedures, as well as all state and federal regulations. Knowledge of medical terminology, medical records management, medical supplies and equipment. Ability to perform basic adult CPR and basic adult first aid procedures. Knowledge of practices and procedures, laws, regulations and guidelines pertaining to long-term care. Computer literate with good organizational skills.

Physical/Sensory :

On a daily basis, throughout the workday: Must be capable of sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching, turning, bending, stooping, crouching and kneeling, reaching over the head, grasping with both hands, and fine manipulation. Must physically be able to lift up to 25 pounds regularly; and up to 100 pounds occasionally with assistance. Must physically be able to carry, transfer, push and pull, and reposition members with assistance or using appropriate equipment. Must have normal eyesight or use corrective lenses. Must have three-dimensional vision and ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are. Must be able to recognize colors. Must be able to hear and distinguish between normal tones and be able to perceive the nature of sounds. Must be able to exchange ideas by means of the spoken word as well as engage in activities to convey detailed or spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, and/or quickly. Must have normal sense of touch and smell.

Environmental Adaptability :

Works in a well-lighted, well ventilated building. When outside, must be able to tolerate exposure to weather, fluctuations in temperature (hot, cold), wet and/or humid conditions. Must be able to tolerate occasional exposure to dust, fumes, odors, water, etc., as well as some noise. Subject to frequent interruptions. Subject to hostile or emotionally upset individuals. Must be willing to work, when necessary, beyond normal working hours and on weekends, as well as in other positions as necessary. The position requires exposure to some risk to physical and/or mental health and safety (i.e., physical assault, communicable disease, etc).