Dietary aide

Department: Dietary / Food Services
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Director of Dietary Services / Dietary Supervisor

Position Summary

The Dietary Aide is responsible for assisting with the preparation, portioning, serving, and delivery of meals to residents in accordance with established dietary requirements, physician orders, and facility policies. The Dietary Aide plays an important role in ensuring residents receive nutritious, appetizing meals while maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary dining environment.

The ideal candidate is dependable, compassionate, team-oriented, and committed to providing excellent customer service to residents in a skilled nursing facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with meal preparation, portioning, plating, and serving according to approved menus and dietary guidelines.

• Deliver meals and nourishment to residents in a timely and courteous manner.

• Follow resident-specific diet orders, including therapeutic diets, texture-modified diets, and fluid restrictions as directed.

• Ensure residents receive the correct meals according to their dietary needs and preferences.

• Assist with setting up and cleaning dining areas before and after meals.

• Wash dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and kitchen equipment.

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen, food preparation areas, dining rooms, and serving equipment.

• Follow all food safety, sanitation, infection control, and hand hygiene procedures.

• Properly store, label, and rotate food items according to facility procedures.

• Monitor food temperatures and follow proper food handling guidelines.

• Assist with receiving and putting away food and supply deliveries as needed.

• Communicate resident concerns, food preferences, and meal-related issues to the Dietary Supervisor.

• Treat all residents with dignity, respect, patience, and kindness.

• Work cooperatively with dietary staff, nursing staff, and other facility departments.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Dietary Supervisor or Director of Dietary Services.

Qualifications and Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Previous food service, restaurant, healthcare, or nursing home experience preferred but not required.

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

• Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation practices.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

• Strong communication and customer service skills.

• Dependable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.

• Ability to interact professionally and compassionately with elderly residents.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull food service supplies and equipment as required.

• Ability to bend, reach, and perform repetitive kitchen-related tasks.

• Ability to work in a kitchen environment with exposure to heat, cold, and cleaning products.

Work Environment

This position is based in a skilled nursing facility and requires interaction with residents, visitors, and facility staff. The Dietary Aide must adhere to all facility policies, infection prevention practices, food safety regulations, and applicable state and federal guidelines.