Cook

Description

Department: Dietary Services

Reports To: Dietary Manager, Registered Dietitian (Consultant), Administrator

Position Summary

The Dietary Aide is responsible for assisting in the preparation, service, and delivery of meals that meet the nutritional needs and physician-ordered diets of residents. This position ensures food is prepared and served safely, maintains sanitation and infection prevention standards, and promotes a pleasant dining experience while supporting resident-centered care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare, portion, and serve meals and snacks in accordance with physician-ordered diets, resident preferences, facility menus, and established dietary procedures.
• Perform all duties required to prepare and serve therapeutic, modified, and regular diets while maintaining accepted standards of food preparation and meal service.
• Maintain the proper use, operation, cleaning, and care of all dietary equipment and kitchen appliances.
• Follow all dietary department safety, sanitation, infection prevention, food handling, and housekeeping procedures in accordance with federal, state, local, and facility regulations.
• Receive, inspect, and verify incoming food, supplies, and equipment to ensure quality, accuracy, and proper storage.
• Assist with monthly inventory of food, dietary supplies, and equipment as requested by the Dietary Manager or supervisor.
• Prepare and serve meals, refreshments, and food items for resident events, special meetings, parties, and facility functions.
• Maintain appropriate food temperatures, storage practices, and labeling procedures to ensure food safety and quality.
• Assist with cleaning and sanitizing food preparation areas, dining rooms, equipment, utensils, and workstations.
• Prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation, and mistreatment of residents by immediately reporting concerns in accordance with facility policies and applicable regulations.
• Promote a safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming dining environment in which residents may enjoy their meals with dignity and respect.
• Provide courteous, respectful, and compassionate service to residents, families, visitors, and fellow team members.
• Become an active member of the facility team by placing residents' needs, preferences, and quality of life as the highest priority.
• Attend required facility meetings, in-services, departmental meetings, and continuing education programs.
• Comply with all facility policies regarding resident rights, HIPAA, infection prevention, fire safety, emergency preparedness, bloodborne pathogens, Hazard Communication, and workplace safety.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Dietary Manager, Registered Dietitian Consultant, Administrator, or designee.

Requirements

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Hold/handle
• Lift
• Carry
• Reach – at and below shoulder height
• Push/pull
• Grasp and handle – pens, paperwork and small equipment
• Sit, stand and walk
• Twist, bend, stoop, kneel, and squat
• Fine hand motor coordination
• Ability to read and write legibly
• Ability to give and follow instructions
• Climb

Talking: Communicating with residents, families, visitors and staff

Hearing: Taking instructions from supervisor To respond to resident complaints and requests 

Sight: For performing job effectively and correctly

Smell: For accurate detection and maintenance of facility odors

Tasting: For checking the food that is being prepared and served to the residents 

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

None.

SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE:

Tasks and procedures performed by the employee involve risks classified by C.D.C. as Category III. (No contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply, if regular duties are performed.)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to tolerate a high pace as typical for a nursing facility. Must be able to take and give instructions well and enjoy working with the elderly. Although employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, he/she must also be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking.

FULL TIME BENEFITS

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance 

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Opportunities for Advancement