Dining Services Aide

Summary of Responsibilities:

Dining Service Aides are responsible for the courteous delivery of meals to residents and maintaining a pleasant atmosphere in the various dining areas and event areas as needed. This includes assisting residents with menu selection, delivering meals and between-meal snacks in Skilled Nursing Care and Personal Care dining, and delivering meals to residents in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, Dining Service Aides clear and reset tables, and maintain proper sanitation in dining areas.

Essential Functions:

• Assures resident, family or guests receive meals, snacks, and supplements as ordered.
• Promptly and efficiently obtain meal selection from residents, family, and guests.
• Serves resident, family or guests promptly, accurately, and efficiently with pleasant interaction and assistance.
• Responds to all food service requests and serve meals according to diet.
• Assembles trays for residents, family, and guests per tray line list with accuracy and timely delivery to nursing unit. Maintains attractive meal service by placing items on the tray and plate in correct locations with proper garnish and condiment.
• Anticipates needs for meal service and prepares items for service i.e.: condiments, and special equipment.
• Serve food using FIFO inventory system.
• Maintain food at safe temperature levels. Transports all food items from main kitchen to Skilled Nursing/Personal Care kitchen on covered cart and store items in timely manner not allowing food to sit out.
• Stocks Nursing care and Highlands Rehab per Dining Service protocol.
• Follow established cleaning procedures leaving dining area clean and reset for next meal.
• Preforms routine cleaning assignments within the department to ensure that a sanitary and safe environment exists for preparation and service of food.
• Provides ware washing support to department so that dishes, silverware, etc. are sanitized and safe for meal service to resident, family and guests.
• Uses proper PPE.
• Assists with cooking for all day dining items.
• Check meal trays and dining room tables for personal items left behind and return items to supervisor.
• Lists and comprehends all information given out during pre-meal, knows all special menu options for the meal period.
• Ensure all opening and closing side work is accomplished following all sanitation procedures and guidelines.
• Uphold food safety standards and consistently follows handwashing, glove usage, and hair net standards.
• Keeps fellow staff members advised of changes in work orders or rules.
• Communicates openly and honestly with fellow staff members and supervisors.
• Keeps confidential information safe and not divulged to outside parties.
• Listens effectively to supervisors, residents, and staff.
• Stays current with assigned training.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This position may be full-time or part-time in a healthcare facility that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts, as well as weekends, holidays, and work during inclement weather, will be required.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED (required or being pursued by high school student)
• 1-3 years experience working in the food industry
• Prior experience working with senior population (preferred)
• Prior Waitstaff or kitchen experience preferred (preferred)

Certification and Licensure Requirements:

• SERV Safe Certification (Preferred)

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Visual acuity must be adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens.
• This position is continuously required to walk, climb crouch, reach above shoulder, lift from waist level up, lift above shoulders/head, and lifting 25 lbs.
• This position is occasionally required to sit, bend, squat, crawl, kneel, balance, pull with force, push/push up to 350 lbs., lift from floor level up, lift 50 lbs. and lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

 • May be exposed to blood-borne pathogens - Low Risk.
• May be exposed to communicable diseases.
• May be exposed to potential electrical shock
• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and/or detergents
• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.