FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL AIDE

Ridgeview and Ridgewood Health Services are 148 and 98 bed facilities respectively, which offer both short and long-term care for our residents. Support services are tailored to meet the individual needs of our residents and strive to improve the quality of life of each resident.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Provide assistance in all food functions as directed/instructed and in accordance with established food policies and procedures.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform defined work routines, using various dietary utensils, supplies and equipment as assigned by the Dietary Manager
• Provide assistance to the cook in the preparation and service of meals.
• Meet scheduled meal and snack times.
• Follow cleaning schedules and perform cleaning duties as scheduled.
• Assist in arranging tray cards, loading food carts, and serving meals.
• Sets up the dining room and serves residents.
• Wash and store dishes.
• Follow established reporting procedures for the following:
  • Supply or equipment needs.
  • Any damaged or loose fixtures, flooring, or tiling requiring replacement or repair.
  • Any unsafe or malfunctioning equipment.
  • Any conditions conducive to breeding insects, rodents or other vermin.
• Assist in receiving and storing food and supplies.
• Follow defined safety codes while performing all duties.
• Follow defined Infection Control procedures.
• Understand facility's fire and disaster plans; follow established procedures during drills and actual emergencies.
• Be knowledgeable of Federal, State, and Facility's rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Follows code of ethics in procurement, handling of confidential information and personal conduct. Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information included protected health care information.
• Perform other department duties or special assignments as directed by the Director.
• Participates in continuing education, relevant to Job Description and LTC, to ensure skills and abilities are maintained and enhanced.
• Recognize your role as part of the QAPI efforts of the organization.
• Attend trainings to build understanding and capacity to understand QAPI work.
• Carry out QAPI roles and responsibilities as assigned.
• Follow established policies and procedures in support of QAPI efforts.
• Look for and share with leadership ideas for improvement in the organization.
• Communicate to leadership upon witnessing a positive outcome of a QAPI project or detecting barriers preventing project success.
• Support QAPI efforts both verbally and non-verbally (i.e., via actions and attitude), including adjusting performance and practice in accordance with QAPI initiatives and findings.
• Performs all other duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE JOB

Education:

• Graduate of accredited high school or GED preferred.

Experience:

• Dietary service experience preferred.
• LTC experience, an asset.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Ability to read, understand and follow recipe directions, diet orders, tray cards, and work assignments.
• This position will show a willingness to perform routine, repetitive tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Numerical ability is necessary for recipe preparation and proper measuring of cleaning agents and chemicals, as well as good motor coordination and manual dexterity are required for various work routines such as preparing food items, serving trays, handling soiled dishes, operating dietary equipment and cleaning work area.
• The Dietary Aide will be able and willing to work flexible hours, such as during an emergency situation and must be patient and tolerant toward staff, residents, and family members.
• Organizational skills
• Thoroughness
• Time Management
• Positive team-building approach to problem solving.
• Positive customer service skills.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal for interaction with customers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in office area as well as throughout the facility
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• 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 and 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 the facility, which include a medical and physical exam.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disable, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the you will be regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.