Food Services Manager

Food Service Manager

LIFE Pittsburgh, a growing nonprofit organization with approximately 400 employees, is a community-based alternative to nursing home care and assisted living. Through the LIFE Pittsburgh program, frail older adults can remain in their own home and receive a coordinated plan of care that enables them to maintain their independence and enjoy a safe and active life in the community. Our health teams of geriatric physicians and nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation specialists and other health care professionals assess our Participants' needs and desires, plan and approve services with them and their family or caregiver, monitor for changes and provide timely interventions. Primary care and community services are provided through our Day Health Centers and through our in-home program according to an individual Participant's needs.

The Food Service Manager is responsible for the oversight of Food Service and clinical nutrition programs across all LIFE Pittsburgh centers. Responsible for ensuring highest standards with regard to meal preparation and kitchen operation to ensure quality and efficient nutritional care of the LIFE Pittsburgh Participants.

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates and reflects a commitment to the mission and core values of LIFE Pittsburgh to assist the elderly in maintaining their dignity and independence in the community.
• Promotes, communicates, monitors, mentors and demonstrates LIFE Pittsburgh's vision and values in accordance with PACE expectations.
• Provides guidance and support to the dietary staff with regard to clinical guidelines (ie, pressure ulcers, significant weight loss, entereal feedings)
• Provides guidance and support with regard to kitchen oversight and meal preparation to dietary staff and center administration.
• Provides the LIFE Pittsburgh teams guidance and support with regard to PACE centered and focused nutritional and clinical assessment and development of interventions and goals.
• Responsible for planning nad development of cycle menus including nutrient analysis to ensure menus meet USDA guidelines.
• Responsible for development of nutrition education programs and materials for participants and staff.
• Responsible for the development, implementation and management of department operating procedures and policies with regard to operation of the kitchen, meal preparations, and food safety / temperatures.
• Responsible for collaborating with the Center Administrator, Operations Manager and Center Supervisor when specific staff or organizational training needs arise.
• Responsible for assisting with the orientation, training and ongoing development of staff to ensure that each member will reach their full potential.
• Responsible for the oversight and management of the take home meal program in additional to community support assistant and grocery shopping programs to ensure participants receive wholesome, nutritional sound meals within the center and at home.
• In collaboration with the Center Administrators, formulates and justifies the Dietary annual budget and capital expenses.
• Consistently monitors expenditures vs. budget costs to ensure the most efficient spending and the highest level of care. Provides variance explanations as appropriate.
• Actively searches for cost saving alternatives and eliminates any potential wasteful spending of resources.
• In collaboration with the Quality Department, assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of nutritional and food service performance standards and/or indicators.
• In collaboration with the Management Team, ensures survey preparedness and 100% compliance with all Federal, State and other regulatory guidelines, regulations and LIFE Pittsburgh policies and procedures.
• Ensures that all required and supporting documentation is accurate and complete within and in accordance with established guidelines.
• May perform additional essential and/or non-essential job functions as assigned by supervisor at any given time with or without notice.

Working Conditions

Must be able to handle a fast paced variable work environment to include working in the Day Health Center, Participant's home, hospital, nursing home, physician and general office settings. May be subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, odors, fumes, infections, dirt and other undesirable conditions may occur either in the ADHC center or in the Participants home. Must be able to organize and prioritize a caseload to meet the individual needs of the Participants. Travel among locations required with occasional regional travel.

Requirements

Knowledge /Skills / Abilities

• Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with and to supervise professional and non-professional personnel.
• Good human relations skills, strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively deal with Participants, staff and outside contacts.
• Must be able to problem solve, develop conceptual alternatives and have the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate.
• Frequently required to manage multiple details within a faced paced environment.
• Understands the range of nutritional needs to serve LIFE Participants.
• Ability to work with people from various social-cultural backgrounds in an effective manner.
• Strong knowledge of food purchasing, preparation, recipe development, menu planning and nutritional assessments and care.
• Ability to work independently when appropriate, and also work as a strong partner with a multidisciplinary and management team.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, demented, emotionally upset and/or confused and at times hostile Participants within the facilities and in the homes.

Required Certification/License:

• Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Valid Driver's license required.
• Proof of automobile insurance

Education/Experience:

• B.S. in Dietetics or appropriate alternative degree is required.
• Master's degree preferred
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in clinical nutrition and assessment with a Geriatric program, preferably in a hospital, long-term care facility, or community setting.
• Must have experience/knowledge of health administration and personnel management.
• Working knowledge of the interdisciplinary model of care management
• Experience working with and relating to the geriatric population and their family members.

The position description is intended to describe the essential functions of the position and the general duties and responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be comprehensive in nature. In addition, jobs evolve overtime and; therefore, the description may not reflect the precise nature of the position at a given point in time. Staff may be asked to perform essential and non-essential functions at any time with or without notice.