Dietary Aide

West PACE; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

11 paid holidays

13 days of PTO

5 sick days

403(b) retirement plan match

Education allowance

Job summary

Gary and Mary West PACE seeks a Dietary Aide/Assistant to support safe, therapeutic nutrition services for our senior participants in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

You will assist with food preparation, meal service, and maintaining sanitary kitchens, while documenting temperatures and ensuring safety protocols are followed.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• BLS certification is preferred.
• CA SERV Safe Food Handler’s certification within 30 days of hire.
• Valid driver license and auto insurance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing safe, therapeutic nutrition services for participants.
• Receive vendor-prepared food and set up for service.
• Record temperatures of food and equipment as directed.
• Plate meals meeting participants’ dietary needs and safety standards.
• Prepare alternate menu items and snacks as needed.
• Assist with serving and kitchen cleanup.
• Label, date, and rotate perishable and non-perishable foods.
• Maintain sanitary kitchen and document required records.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Excellent organizational and communication skills

Ability to follow directions from supervisor

Experience with diverse populations

Job description

Join the Team Voted Best Place to Work!

Why Work for Gary and Mary West PACE?

Because you're looking for more than just a job - you want work/life balance and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of North County seniors and their families.

At Gary and Mary West PACE, we support your personal and professional well-being with:

• Generous pay and a comprehensive benefits package focused on your health and wellness
• 11 paid holidays, 13 days of PTO, and 5 days of sick time
• A 5% employer match to our 403(b) retirement plan
• No on-call time – because your time matters

We invest in our team with an annual education allowance and a commitment to professional growth, helping you expand your skills and advance your career.

You’ll thrive in a supportive, mission-driven culture where collaboration feels like family. As part of our multi-disciplinary team, your voice is heard, and your work is truly valued.

Join us and do your best work-because here, your contribution matters.

About PACE:

Philanthropists Gary and Mary West founded West Health with the mission of enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. The Gary and Mary West PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), affiliated with West Health (www.westhealth.org), is a non-profit that delivers medical, social, and behavioral services to the frail elderly to the North County of San Diego. This PACE center is entrepreneurial in nature and focuses on innovations and bringing new processes to the traditional PACE environment.

We’re looking for passionate healthcare providers who want to be part of a team dedicated to enable seniors to live in their communities as independently as possible by providing compassionate, comprehensive health and supportive care.

Position Summary:

The GMW PACE Dietary Aide/Assistant is responsible for assisting in the provision of safe, therapeutic nutrition services at GMW PACE. The Dietary Assistant receives vendor-prepared food and readies it for participant meal service and ensuring the temperatures of cooling and warming equipment are recorded as directed, and the kitchen area remains clean and sanitary at all times. The Dietary Assistant collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders to promote the GMW PACE values, team culture and mission.

Essential Functions:

• Assist the Registered Dietitian in provision of safe, therapeutic nutrition services that meet the diverse needs of GMW PACE participants:
• Receive vendor-prepared food and place in steam table to prepare for meal service.
• Measure and record temperatures of the food on delivery and at regular intervals, prior to serving, assuring that food remains safe for serving and within ranges indicated in GMW PACE P&Ps.
• Plate the food for meal service, identifying meals that meet individual participants’ special dietary needs as ordered.
• Prepare alternate, pre-determined menu items as needed.
• Prepare snacks for activities as requested.
• Assist with serving as needed.
• Check and calibrate kitchen thermometers weekly or as needed.
• Label and date all perishable food in GMWPACE refrigerator and freezer, including any pre-packaged meals for home delivery, making sure all food is fresh and safe for consumption.
• Label and date all non‑perishable food in the GMW PACE pantry, rotating inventory to maintain freshness.
• Communicate needs for additional food items and/or supplies to the Registered Dietitian.
• Measure and record water temperature and chemical levels of the dishwasher regularly and assist with ordering necessary chemicals.
• Ensure the kitchen area remains clean and sanitary at all times, including washing the dishes and counters between meal services and at the end of the day, mopping the floor daily, and taking the trash to outside dumpster daily.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Protect privacy and maintain the confidentiality of all company procedures and information about employees, participants, and families.
• Follow GMW PACE policies and procedures and participate in any required Quality Improvement activities, staff training, and meetings
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Certification:

• Graduation from high school/GED or equivalent required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification preferred.
• CA SERV safe Food Handler's certification within 30 days of hire.
• Valid driver license.
• Valid proof of auto insurance.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of one-year experience in food service or preparation, working with a frail or elderly population.
• Ability to process accurate information in a timely manner.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to follow directions from supervisor and communicate needs effectively.
• Experience and competency working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to unlocking the full potential of our most vulnerable seniors.

Medical Clearance:

Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.

Job offers are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug screen, background check, and physical assessment.

Gary and Mary West PACE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, military and veteran status, age, physical and mental disability, genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation or any other considerations made unlawful by applicable state or local laws.