Dining Assistant

Bethel-Lutheran-Home; Madison (SD); On-site; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison, SD is seeking a Dining Assistant to support residents during meals, prepare dining spaces, and ensure a warm, respectful dining experience.

You’ll assist residents to the dining areas, help with meal setup, serve meals, and provide conversation and companionship, while following facility guidelines.

No prior long-term care experience required; a willingness to learn, reliability, and teamwork are valued, with weekend/holiday rotations.

Qualifications

• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Background check and immunization requirements apply.
• Previous dietary or long-term care experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist residents to and from the dining room.
• Prepare residents for meals and assist with meal setup.
• Serve meals and beverages according to facility guidelines.
• Provide companionship during meals and observe residents' needs.
• Report changes to the Charge Nurse during mealtimes.
• Escort residents back to their rooms after meals.
• Mentor new dining assistants if experienced.

Skills

Patient care

Teamwork

Reliability

Compassion

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.

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!