Dietary (Kitchen Service)

Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to:

• Provide nutritious and appetizing meals and snacks to residents.
• Ensure the kitchen is maintained in a clean, sanitary, and orderly fashion.
• Ensure “safe food handling” procedures are consistently maintained.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local nutritional/dietary regulations.
• Participate in Quality Improvement programs to monitor and evaluate the quality of dietary services.

Qualifications & Essential Requirements

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Must be at least 18 years of age with a valid, unrestricted driver’s license.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
• Must be physically capable of effective hearing, seeing, and speaking.
• Must be physically capable of walking, prolonged standing, taking stairs, running, prolonged sitting, bending, pulling/pushing, and fine motor dexterity.
• Must be able to physically and emotionally assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Bloodborne Pathogen Risk

Level III (Low exposure risk): Tasks assigned to this position will most likely not involve potential and/or direct exposure to blood, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and/or hazardous chemicals.

Duties/Responsibilities/Function

• Follow all dietary policies and procedures, including:

  • Proper sanitation practices.
  • Correct food and chemical storage procedures.
  • Proper use and operation of facility equipment (dishwasher, stove, oven, etc.).
  • Cleaning procedures, dish temperature monitoring, chemical log monitoring, handwashing, and infection control compliance.
  • Monitoring refrigerator and freezer temperatures.

• Maintain accurate resident diet card system to ensure meals are prepared according to physician orders and as assigned by the Cook or Food Service Supervisor.

• Provide meals and snacks to residents as directed.

• Maintain all storage areas in a clean and orderly fashion.

• Ensure chemical distribution (PPM) is appropriate in sinks to guarantee proper dishware sanitation.

• Place deliveries into storage/coolers/freezers as instructed.

• Ensure all dishware is cleaned and dried properly.

• Dispose of garbage promptly and maintain dumpster areas free of debris to discourage pests.

• Ensure tray set-up follows all resident diet card information (i.e., NCS, NAS, etc.).

• Ensure dietary equipment is in good working order and report repairs as needed.

• Follow “safe food handling” techniques, ensuring correct temperatures, appealing presentation, proper serving sizes, and correct special diets/equipment (per physician orders).

• Follow all safety rules and regulations.

• Adhere to all facility policies and procedures.

• Ensure all emergency and disaster procedures for the dietary department are enforced.

• Ensure the resident/employee environment is free from accidents and hazards; address risks immediately.

• Ensure compliance with Abuse & Neglect policies.

• Ensure compliance with infection control standards; address identified non-compliance immediately.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.