Dietary Aide

General Summary: The Dietary Aide is responsible for assembling patient meal trays according to dietary orders. Responsible for set-up, breakdown, and sanitation of food and non-food items for patient meal services. Prepares food items for patients, employees, and visitors, including catering functions. Prepares and delivers snacks on a daily basis according to par levels. Also, may assist the Porter with cleaning dishes, silverware and pots and pans. The Dietary Aide is actively involved in department activities, transdisciplinary team activities, and LifeCare activities to ensure individualized, patient-centered health care for all patient populations admitted to LifeCare Hospital.

Patient Population: Has contact with patients in a non-clinical setting; understands and demonstrates appropriate behavior when interacting with patients in the adult (18-65 yrs of age) and geriatric (65 and older) populations.

Supervision: Not applicable

Standard Essential Functions

• The knowledge and skills necessary to perform the position requirements are demonstrated through the successful completion of competencies established for the position, to include population served and other special needs of patients or customers, served by the department.
• Adheres to LifeCare policies, procedures, all safety plans, and all standards imposed by regulatory organizations.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.
  
  

Job-Specific Essential Functions

• Performs a variety of food preparation duties to include, but not limited to, preparing patient trays according to patient menu and dietary orders; preparing and delivering snacks on a daily basis according to patients’ dietary needs/restrictions and par levels; ensures that proper serving techniques are followed; prepares a variety of foods according to customer’s orders, hospital provided recipe or supervisor’s instructions, following approved procedures; assisting cooks and other dietary staff with various tasks as needed and provides cooks with needed items.
• Assists with inventory and stocks vending machines and/or kitchen; ensures kitchen and/or cafeteria are adequately stocked with items, and accessories such as utensils, napkins, and straws. Ensures that par levels are appropriate and notifies supervisor when supplies are getting low or equipment is not working properly.
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, silverware, and trays.
• Stores and labels food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
• Greets patients, employees, and visitors in a courteous and respectful manner, responds with positive interpersonal skills and handles requests with a positive attitude.
• Ensures safety at all times by notifying the supervisor of any risk factors seen, initiating, and maintaining appropriate safety measures.
  
  

Values

• We COLLABORATE: We develop our treatment plans in collaboration with physicians, clinicians, and patient's families.
• We ADVOCATE: We advocate on behalf of every patient and family.
• We RESPECT: We recognize and value the dignity, rights, and resources of each patient.
• We EDUCATE: We educate our team members and families with purpose and compassion.
• We SERVE: We serve as a TEAM with integrity at all levels focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.