Dietary Aide/Cook

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Dietary Aide/Cook to join our healthcare team. This role is vital in providing nutritious, well-prepared meals tailored to the dietary needs of residents in assisted living or nursing home environments. The ideal candidate will possess culinary expertise, experience working with geriatric patients, and a strong commitment to food safety and sanitation. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents' quality of life through nourishing and appealing meals delivered with professionalism and care.

Duties

• Prepare and serve meals in accordance with dietary guidelines, ensuring adherence to specific nutritional requirements for residents.

• Assist in food production, including portioning, plating, and presentation of meals to promote appetizing and balanced dishes.

• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently while maintaining proper sanitation standards throughout food handling and preparation processes.

• Follow established procedures for food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Support the dietary department by managing inventory, ordering supplies, and ensuring proper storage of food items.

• Assist with cleaning duties within the kitchen and dining areas to uphold hygiene standards consistent with JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) regulations.

• Work collaboratively with nursing staff and other healthcare professionals to accommodate special dietary needs for residents with specific health conditions or restrictions.

• Engage in manual handling practices for heavy lifting and safe movement of supplies or equipment, prioritizing resident and staff safety at all times.

Skills

• Proven experience working in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or similar healthcare environments.

• Strong background in food production, meal preparation, and culinary techniques within a healthcare or food industry setting.

• Knowledge of dietary requirements specific to geriatric populations and familiarity with dietetics principles.

• Excellent time management skills to ensure timely meal service without compromising quality or safety standards.

• Ability to operate kitchen equipment safely while adhering to food handling regulations and sanitation practices.

• Experience working with diverse dietary needs, including special diets such as low sodium, diabetic-friendly, or texture-modified foods.

• Basic math skills for portion control, inventory management, and accurate record-keeping.

• Strong customer service orientation with compassionate communication skills suited for working with elderly residents.

• Certification in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) preferred; knowledge of workplace safety protocols essential.

• Physical ability to perform heavy lifting tasks safely and consistently maintain a clean, sanitized environment aligned with health standards.

Join our team dedicated to providing exceptional nutritional care that enhances residents' well-being through nutritious meal service delivered with professionalism and compassion!

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• Dental insurance

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person