Cook - Dietary Aide HCC

Overview

The Dietary Aide assists with food preparation in accordance with established procedural guidelines, as directed by the Food Service/Dietary Manager/Supervisor. The Cook prepares palatable, nutritionally sound meals consistent with departmental policies and procedures and with state and federal laws and regulations. Meals meet daily nutritional and special diet needs of each resident and are served at the proper temperature and time.

The role works with the Director of Food Service to allocate resources efficiently to ensure each resident receives food in the appropriate amount, type, consistency and frequency to maintain acceptable body weight, nutritional values and quality of life.

• Assist the cook in the preparation of meals, salads, desserts, snacks or other dishes for patients/residents, and prepare between-meal nourishments (e.g., sandwiches).
• Follow diet orders and NPO diet orders.
• Serve nourishments in accordance with procedural guidelines.
• Properly store leftovers/opened food.
• Follow procedures for serving partner meals.
• Offer menu substitutions and record them in accordance with procedural guidelines.
• Comply with infection control policies in the work area.
• Deliver trays to patients/residents on halls and in dining areas.
• Assist with serving/pouring juice, milk, water and tea; make coffee/tea as requested.
• Clean all tables in the dining area after each meal.
• Clean work area at the end of shift and after meals, including sweeping, mopping and storing cleaning equipment appropriately.
• Clean kitchen equipment such as carts, tables, counters, ice machine, buckets, blender, mixer, meat slicer, freezer, refrigerator, stove, steamer, garbage disposal, dish machine, coffee/tea maker, steam table, etc.
• Remove garbage from kitchen areas and hose out garbage containers.
• Scrape, wash and store dishes, pots and pans properly.
• Record freezer and walk-in refrigerator temperatures in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain dishwasher and dish sink; check and record water temperature (dishwasher and hand sinks); check sanitizer levels and replace as needed.
• Maintain supply stock and store items according to established procedures.
• Set up tray line and perform tray line service.
• Operate the dish machine, garbage disposal, mixer, blender, meat slicer, steamer, coffee and tea maker.
• Use, clean and maintain serving equipment (ladles, spoons, scoops, etc.) according to established procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of food handling, preparation and storage techniques that comply with state and federal laws and regulations; apply these regulations to work situations and supervision of staff assistants.
• Follow recipes and prepare foods that correspond to menu cycles prepared by a Dietitian; cook or prepare palatable, attractive, nutritionally adequate meals in institutional quantities served at proper times.
• Assist with supervising kitchen staff that assist with food preparation, assembling trays, cleaning and storage of supplies and equipment; continuously clean food service work areas as food preparation and service is done; use food supplies and equipment efficiently to prevent waste.
• Prepare and maintain supply of food substitutes to accommodate resident choices, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences. Inspect trays following meal service to monitor and record resident acceptance of menu items; report findings to Dietary Manager.
• Use food preparation equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions. Follow proper cleaning techniques and preventative maintenance schedules. Handle, store and dispose of food supplies and prepared food in accordance with department procedures and state/federal regulations.

• Participate in center/agency surveys (Licensure/JCAHO) and any subsequently required reports.
• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs to stay current in the field and to maintain required licenses/certifications, as required.
• Attend and participate in mandatory in-services.
• Honor patients/residents’ rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to file wage…