PACE Dietary Assistant

Dietary Assistant

We are recruiting for a Dietary Assistant to join our growing team. The Dietary Assistant supports food service, including texture modified and therapeutic diets, according to the facility menu. The Dietary Assistant is responsible for assuring proper receiving, storage, preparation, serving sanitation and cleaning procedures are followed while supporting the PACE participants needs.

Responsibilities

PERFORMANCE AREA 1: Essential Job Duties

• Assist the Registered Dietitian in provision of safe, therapeutic nutrition services that meet the diverse needs of participants
• Updates diet changes as directed by the Registered Dietitians.
• Maintain acceptable storage standards of vendor-prepared food prior to meal service
• Prepare and plate food for meal service, following instructions on participants' dietary cards for specific diets, preferences, and special needs
• Label and date all perishable food in refrigerators and freezers, including any pre-packaged meals for home delivery, making sure all food is fresh and safe for consumption
• Record inventory on dishes, silverware, food supplies, and cleaning supplies, and place orders for replacements as needed
• Ensure that all hot food is delivered and received at proper temperatures according to the latest FDA standards.
• Measure and record food temperature on delivery and at regular intervals prior to serving.
• Responsible for wraps, labels and dates before storing food in the refrigerator.
• Assisting in stocking food deliveries, ensuring proper storage and First In, First Out (FIFO) rotation is followed.
• Maintains stock and tracking of Emergency Food rotating as per expiration dates and stocking per regulatory requirements for participants and staff.
• Ensures all dishwashing occurs in a manner meeting all regulatory requirements of a kitchen dishwashing process.
• Cleans and sanitizes equipment and food preparation area using the appropriate cleaning methods and following established procedures and cleaning schedules.
• Deep cleans kitchen flooring as per protocol.
• Practices safety, infection control and emergency procedures according to facility guidelines.
• Sets-up tables in dining room.
• Cleans tables and chairs after every meal. Ensures the cleanliness of dining room.
• Prepares and serves required daily beverage, snacks and any food related to Activities Calendar.
• Interacts in a manner that is courteous, considerate, and cooperative when communicating with all facility personnel, patients and family members.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, in-services, projects, and committees assigned.
• Adhere to and support the center's practices, procedures, and policies including assigned break times and attendance.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner; and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned by Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor or Administrator.
• Able to support meal delivery to participants and support for PCA, Activities, Transportation and Reception staff as needed.

PERFORMANCE AREA 2: Focus On Infection Control And Maintenance Of Equipment

• Practices universal precaution per protocol and keeps work areas clean and clutter free.
• Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes, according to guidelines.
• Maintains daily log upkeep (food temp, refrigerator, etc.).
• Initiates work request for any malfunctions of equipment, then obtain Health Center Manager's approval.

PERFORMANCE AREA 3: General Corporate Expectations

• Attends and actively participates in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, employee staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned
• Attends workshops/seminars as necessary to increase skills and knowledge to provide effective care, treatment, and/or leadership.
• Supports the overall needs of the health center by working flexible or extended hours when necessary.
• Supports the needs of the health center by traveling to other UHC clinics when staffing needs dictate the need for licensed personnel.
• Demonstrates awareness of, and compliance with organizational mission and objective of UHC to provide health care access and support services for all members of the community.
• Supports their own staff development by completing the required hours of continuing education each year as well as new certifications as required.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by supervisor. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either verbally or in writing.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect for information regarding patients and other team members; abides by UHC Rules of Confidentiality and general HIPAA regulations regarding privacy.
• Displays a positive, professional and respectful demeanor at all times toward employees, peers, professional contacts, and patients served, maintaining a professional appearance and positive image for the health centers.
• Contributes to the team by promoting positive staff interaction, maintains open communication with other programs/departments.

Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalency
• CA Serv safe and Food Handlers Certification
• Ability to read, write, understand and speak the English language.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in food service or preparation
• Needs to have the ability to work in a team environment both in dietary and the overall health care team.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred

Experience:

• Ability to read, write, understand and speak the English language.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in food service or preparation
• Needs to have the ability to work in a team environment both in dietary and the overall health care team.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within 180 days of hire and maintain certification thereafter; CPR and First Aid certification upon hire preferred

Skills and Knowledge:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Able to quickly build and maintain rapport; team player
• Customer-service oriented
• Strong computer skills
• Familiar with adult learning and general training techniques
• Positive professional insight
• Flexibility and dependability
• Demonstrated good problem-solving skills; sound judgment
• Attention to detail and excellent follow-through on work tasks
• Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously

The hourly wage range that UHC reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire starts at $22.00 an hour. Our salaries are dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience.

In addition, our comprehensive benefits package for regular status employees includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with low premium cost
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401k plan with matching contribution
• Educational Assistance
• Employee discounts and more!