Dietary Aide

Position Details

• Job Title: Dietary Aide
• Location: Willard, OH
• Department: Dietary Services
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Reports To: Dietary Manager
• Shifts Hiring: Part-time, Full-time, Per Diem

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 administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Essential Job Functions Statement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, this statement does not imply that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if they are similar, related, or constitute an essential function.

Safety Factors

• Risk Potential to Blood/Body Fluids: Category I – tasks involving exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues; requires personal protective equipment.
• Category II – tasks involving no exposure but may require performing unplanned Category I tasks.
• Category III – tasks requiring no exposure; Category I tasks are not a condition of employment.

Administrative Functions

• Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
• Perform additional duties as deemed necessary, appropriate, or directed.

Personnel Functions

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

Staff Development

• Participate in and assist with departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, in‑service training programs, etc., as directed.

Dietary Service

• Serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Assist in serving meals as necessary, observing sanitation/safety requirements and serving promptly.
• Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Assist in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Clean work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators/freezers, etc.
• Sweep and mop floors as directed.
• Carry soiled utensils, including sharp utensils, to the wash area.
• Return clean utensils to proper storage areas.
• Wash and clean utensils as directed, including sharp utensils.
• Carry out garbage, keeping work areas clean, dry, and free of hazardous equipment, supplies, etc.
• Set up meal trays, food carts, dining rooms, etc., as instructed.
• Assist cook in preparing meals.
• Distribute and collect menus as necessary.
• Obtain food supplies for next meal.
• Assist in checking diet trays before distribution.
• Deliver food carts, trays, etc., to designated areas.
• Perform dishwashing/cleaning procedures, ensuring utensils are readily available for the next meal.
• Remove food trays from carts, dining rooms, etc., and take to dishwashing area.
• Prepare and deliver snacks, etc., as instructed.

Safety and Sanitation

• Prepare food in accordance with sanitation regulations and established policies and procedures.
• Follow safety regulations and precautions at all times.
• Follow established Infection Control and Universal Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.
• Maintain the department in a clean and safe manner, ensuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.
• Report all hazardous conditions/equipment to your supervisor immediately.
• Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor on the shift in which they occur.
• 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.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
• Utilize personal protective equipment when handling sharp utensils or food processor blades.
• Report missing or illegible labels or MSDSs to your supervisor.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Ensure that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
• Assist in inventorying and storing incoming food, supplies, etc., as necessary.

Resident Rights

• Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information.
• Knock before entering a resident’s room.
• Report complaints to the Director of Food Services.

Miscellaneous

• Make only authorized food substitutions.
• Assist in food preparation for special meals for parties, etc.

Working Conditions

• Work in well‑lit and ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.
• Move intermittently during working hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Interact with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions.
• Encounter hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Communicate with medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors.
• Work beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
• May have call‑back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post‑disaster).
• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs.
• Be exposed to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants.
• Note sudden temperature changes when entering a refrigerator.
• May be exposed to heat or cold temperatures in kitchen/storage areas.
• May experience exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maintain liaison with other department supervisors to plan for dietary services and activities.
• May handle hazardous chemicals.
• May handle sharp objects (knives, food processors, etc.).

Education

• Must possess at least a 12th grade education.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or possess a work permit.

Experience

• No prior experience required; on‑the‑job training provided.

Specific Requirements

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
• Must deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
• Must follow oral and written instructions.
• Must maintain supplies, equipment, and the appearance of work areas, performing regular inspections for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of duties.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, and be willing to handle residents of any maturity level.
• Must seek new methods and principles, incorporating them into existing dietary practices when appropriate.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Speak and write English understandably.
• Cope with mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Maintain sight and hearing, using prosthetics if necessary, to perform duties.
• Function independently with flexibility, personal integrity, and effective teamwork with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Meet general health requirements as set forth by facility policies, including a medical and physical examination.
• Willingness to wear required hair coverings on the head and/or beard as applicable.
• Relate to ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and potentially hostile individuals within the facility.
• Push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of twenty‑five pounds.
• Assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations when necessary.