Dining Assistant

Bethel Lutheran Home Madison SD; Madison (SD); On-site; USD 15,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Bethel Lutheran Home Madison SD is seeking a part-time Dining Assistant to support residents during meals and provide companionship in a caring senior living setting. You will help with meal setup, serving, and mealtime routines while maintaining safety and cleanliness standards.

No prior dietary or long-term care experience is required, but a positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn are essential. Join a team dedicated to compassionate, quality care for older adults.

Qualifications

• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Previous dietary or long-term care experience is helpful but not required.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Must meet facility immunization requirements (e.g., flu shot, COVID-19 if applicable).
• Must follow infection prevention, sanitation, and safety protocols.
• Willingness to take part in scheduled weekend/holiday rotations.

Responsibilities

• Assist residents to and from the dining room or designated dining areas.
• Prepare residents for meals and assist with meal setup.
• Serve meals and beverages according to facility guidelines.
• Provide encouragement, conversation, and companionship during meals.
• Assist residents with eating and drinking as needed.
• Support residents with cognitive impairment, dementia, swallowing difficulties, vision impairments, or limited mobility.
• Accurately record food and fluid intake per facility policy.
• Observe and report changes in residents’ condition during mealtime to the Charge Nurse.
• Escort residents back to their rooms or other areas following meals.
• Help train or mentor new dining assistants (if experienced).
• Additional job duties as required.

Skills

Patient

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Flexible

Job description

Join a Team That Has Been Caring for Seniors with Heart Since 1962

Do you enjoy active, people-focused work? Do you enjoy a job that has clear routines, responsibilities, and expectations that are manageable and rewarding? If so, we’re currently seeking a Dining Assistant to join our team.

Job Type

Part-time

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Assist residents to and from the dining room or designated dining areas
• Prepare residents for meals and assist with meal setup
• Serve meals and beverages according to facility guidelines
• Provide encouragement, conversation, and companionship during meals
• Assist residents with eating and drinking as needed
• Support residents with cognitive impairment, dementia, swallowing difficulties, vision impairments, or limited mobility
• Accurately record food and fluid intake per facility policy
• Observe and report changes in residents’ condition during mealtime to the Charge Nurse
• Escort residents back to their rooms or other areas following meals
• Help train or mentor new dining assistants (if experienced)
• Additional job duties as required

Requirements

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift/push/pull up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move for extended periods

Work Requirements

• Must pass a criminal background check
• Must meet facility immunization requirements (e.g., flu shot, COVID-19 if applicable)
• Must follow infection prevention, sanitation, and safety protocols
• Willingness to take part in scheduled weekend/holiday rotations

Here’s What You’ll Need

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Previous dietary or long-term care experience is helpful but not required.

Here’s What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Comfortable working with the geriatric population
• Patient and attentive to residents’ needs
• Strong attention to detail
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Reliable, punctual, and flexible
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Eager to grow professionally while contributing to a mission that truly matters

For more than 60 years, Bethel Lutheran Home has been a trusted provider of exceptional care to our community’s older adults. Help deliver quality care – one meal at a time! If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact on our residents’ health, comfort, and daily experience, we’d love to meet you!