Dietary Aide

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to provide assistance in all food functions as directed/instructed and in accordance with established food policies and procedures.

Delegation of Authority

As Dietary Aide, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential function of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

Work with the facility’s Dietitian/Assistant Dietary Supervisor and Dietary Director as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.

Ensure that all food procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.

Other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed.

Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report any suspected or known unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of such information.

Personnel Functions

Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel as well as with other departments within the facility to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment throughout the department.

Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

Log off computer workstations per established facility policy.

Whenever appropriate: Maintain an appropriate and clean appearance while adhering to department’s uniform policy.

Staff Development

Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.

Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, in-service training programs, etc., as directed.

Attend and participate in facility mandatory in-service training programs as scheduled (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, etc.).

Food Service

Serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.

Assist in serving meals as necessary and on a timely basis.

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, etc., to wash area.

Return clean utensils to proper storage areas.

Wash and clean utensils as directed.

Carry out garbage and keep work areas clean, dry and free of hazardous equipment, supplies, etc.

Set up dining room as instructed, ensuring SMART cards are available.

Be sure that appropriate adaptive equipment and utensils are provided to resident at meal time.

Distribute and collect table menus as necessary.

Offer residents choice of menu items.

Correctly set up steam tables for meal service.

Assist in checking SMART cards for correct diet and texture prior to distribution.

Serve food in dining room as instructed.

Deliver all plates and drinks to resident in a timely manner.

Properly document all food and fluid intake for all residents in POC in timely manner.

Perform dishwashing/cleaning procedures. Assure that utensils, etc., are readily available for next meal.

Remove dishes from carts, dining rooms, etc., and take to dishwashing area.

Prepare and deliver snacks, water pitchers, etc., as instructed.

Safety and Sanitation

Handle food, etc., in accordance with sanitary regulations as well as with our established policies and procedures.

Follow safety regulations and precautions at all times in handling sharps and hot objects, etc.

Follow established Infection Control Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.

Ensure that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring 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.

Report missing/illegible labels or SDSs to your supervisor.

Equipment and Supply Functions

Ensure that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.

Assist in inventorying and storing in-coming food, supplies, etc., as necessary.

Resident Rights

Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of such information.

Knock before entering a resident’s room.

Report complaints to the Dietary Director.

Nametag must be worn visibly at all times.

Miscellaneous

Make only authorized food substitutions.

Assist in food preparation for special meals, for parties, etc.

Working Conditions

Works in well-lighted/ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.

Moves intermittently during working hours.

Is subject to frequent interruptions.

Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.

Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.

Communicates with the medical staff, nursing staff, and other department supervisors.

Works beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).

Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the work day, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants and other air contaminants.

Is subject to sudden temperature changes when entering refrigerator or freezer.

May be exposed to heat/cold temperatures in kitchen/storage area.

Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including bloodborne or airborne pathogens.

Maintains a liaison with other department directors to adequately plan for food services/activities.

May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

Must possess, as a minimum, an 8^th grade education.

Must possess or obtain the Illinois Food Handler Training Certification within 30 days of hire and maintain a valid certification during employment.

Experience

None. On-the-job training provided.

Specific Requirements

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.

Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.

Must maintain the care and use of supplies, equipment, the appearance of work areas, and perform regular inspections of food service areas for sanitation, order, safety and proper performance of assigned duties.

Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.

Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing food practices.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 35 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Acknowledgment

I have read this job description and fully understand that the requirements set forth therein have been determined to be essential to this position. I hereby accept the position of Dietary Aide and agree to perform the tasks outlined in this job description in a safe manner and in accordance with the facility's established procedures. I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I understand that as a condition of employment, I will be required to complete initial 2-step Tuberculosis skin test with annual TB testing thereafter, any past positive TB tests, follow direction of Infection Control nurse for necessary documentation.. I understand that all food handling employees are required to have Hepatitis A vaccination within 10 days of hire, provided free of charge to employee, or provide documentation of immunization. I understand I may not release/disclose protected health or facility information without proper authorization.

I understand that my employment is at-will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at-will either by the facility or myself, and that such termination can be made with or without notice.

Date:___________________                                Signature-Dietary Aide:______________________________

Date:___________________                                Signature-Dietary Director:___________________________