Dietary Aide PRN

Valley Vista Post Acute; Escondido (CA); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Vista Post Acute in Escondido, CA is seeking a dedicated dietary services team member to support meal preparation and service across the department.

You will collaborate with dietitians, nursing staff and dietary supervisors to follow approved menus, maintain logs, and ensure safe, sanitary food handling while delivering warm, accommodating care to residents.

Qualifications

• Follow sanitary regulations and established policies.
• Maintain accurate logs of temperatures and chemical levels.
• Communicate effectively with dietary staff and nursing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing appetizing meals according to planned menus and temperature requirements.
• Prepare food for therapeutic and texture-modified diets.
• Serve meals and nourishments according to orders and diet restrictions.
• Maintain cleanliness and proper handling of utensils and dishes.
• Attend trainings and meetings as directed.

Job description

Essential Job Functions

Administrative/ Interpersonal Functions:

Work with the facility dietitian, dietary supervisor, dietary staff, and nursing as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.

Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.

Maintain accurate and timely logs of temperatures, chemical levels, etc. as directed.

Other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed.

Maintain good relationships with facility staff and residents to ensure optimal service. Participate in the dietary department as a team player, encouraging and assisting others as needed.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.

Attend trainings, in-services, and meetings as directed.

Maintain resident rights, observing confidentiality of all resident information, knocking before entering the resident’s room, report complaints to the Dietary Services Supervisor.

Preserve all resident items inadvertently left on food trays and deliver items to the dietary services supervisor to be returned to residents.

Dietary Service:

Assist in preparing palatable and appetizing meals in accordance with planned menus and temperature requirements on a timely basis.

Assist in preparing food for therapeutic and texture modified diets in accordance with planned menus with established portion control procedures.

Serve supplements, snacks, nourishments and beverages consistent with orders.

Honor food preferences at meals and snacks within diet order specifications.

Serve meal trays with appropriate utensils, and special equipment when ordered.

Assist in preparing special event food as ordered.

Perform timely daily or scheduled cleaning and mopping duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Carry soiled utensils, etc., to wash the area.

Wash, clean and store utensils and dishes as directed.

Perform consistent, compliant waste management.

Obtain food supplies for the next meal.

Deliver food carts, trays, etc., to designated areas.

Perform dishwashing/cleaning procedures in a timely fashion. Assure that utensils, etc., are readily available for the next meal.

Prepare, label and deliver nourishments, etc., as instructed.

Store food upon delivery, ensuring acceptable conditions.

Safety and Sanitation:

Prepare, serve and store food, etc., in accordance with sanitary regulations and established policies and procedures.

Follow established safety policies and Infection Control and Universal Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.

Ensure that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.

Report all hazardous conditions/equipment to your supervisor immediately.

Report all accidents/incidents to your supervisor on the shift in which they occur.

Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.

Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies.

Wear protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.

Report missing/illegible labels or MSDSs to your supervisor.

Wear required uniform, including safe shoes, as specified in facility policy.

Maintain proper personal hygiene and cleanliness, practicing proper handwashing, glove, hairnet and apron use, keeping hands and nails clean, avoiding jewelry, etc.