Dietary Aide/ Food Service Worker

JOB SUMMARY:     This position provides resident nutritional care under the direction and supervision of the Food and Nutrition Manager (FNM) or delegate. The Dietary Aide participates in the team concept of resident care following established governmental and home guidelines. Participates in the food preparation, documentation and production functions.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Preparation and handling of food items, under supervision in accordance with sanitary regulations.
2. Familiar with the operation, care and documentation of dietary equipment (including dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, temperatures, sanitizing solutions).
3. Understands and practices principles of hygiene and safe food handling as a means of minimizing the risk of contamination of food, preparation, and service areas.
4. Keep dietary areas clean and well-organized throughout shift, using First-In-First Out and safe food storage practices (including covering, dating, labelling of all food items).
5. Utilizes proper procedure for handling all dishware and utensils to minimize breakage and enhance cleanliness.
6. Adheres to policies and procedures in effect within the home.
7. Maintains a good attendance record.
8. Undertakes and completes all assigned tasks within established time frames in a competent manner. Completes dietary audits as required.
9. Responsible for completing cleaning and organizing of servery and dishwashing areas before and immediately following meal service.
10.  Adhering to proper measuring and documentation of food temperatures and taking corrective actions and reporting to FNM as needed.
11. Serving food at mealtimes, adhering to portion sizes, therapeutic diet menu, dietary database, and seating plans/table rotation.
12. Responsible for tray service, including appropriate set up, covering and labelling of the tray.
13. Assists in the set up and clearing of dining areas and trays.
14. Cleaning, organizing and preparations of nourishments and carts.
15. Ensures that the immediate work area is maintained according to established policy and procedure.
16. Completes cleaning as assigned per shift routine and cleaning schedule and documentation of same.
17. Responsible for storage of food items returned to the kitchen, following policy and procedure.
18. Assist in receiving, storing, and organizing of dietary deliveries.
19. Familiar with the daily operations of the dietary department, as established within the departmental policies and procedures.
20. Reports dietary concerns to Food and Nutrition Manager or delegate for follow up.
21. Attends scheduled in-services and meetings as required (including Surge learning).
22. Recognizes safety hazards and promotes a safe environment for residents and team members by following an established policy and procedure and reporting hazardous situations in a timely fashion.
23. Any other duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Review of communication book and posted memos.
2. Adherence to established dress code.
3. Flexibility to changes in shift routine to accommodate provision of quality care.
4. Provide mentoring and guidance for fellow dietary team members.
5. Responsible for participating in committees and meetings as assigned.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

1. Has successfully completed or enrolled in a Dietary Aide/Food Service Worker training program at an established college as listed in the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 or a registered private career college in Ontario, to be completed within three years of being hired

   OR

   experience with institutional, health care, restaurant, or hospitality food service that             Caressant Care is satisfied to allow them to perform the duties required of the position. (approval VP Operations required)

2. Show evidence of completion of a Food Handler Training program, to be renewed every 5 years before expiry.
3. Responsible and punctual individual.
4. Must be willing to accept direction and limitations of position.
5. Willing and able to complete repetitive tasks.
6. Must understand and practice principles of safe food handling and hygiene according to the current Food Safety Code of Practice.
7. Should feel comfortable with elderly and Residents requiring assistance.
8. Able to read and write English.
9. Must understand principles of good hygiene.
10. Experience in LTC food service an asset, including texture modified diets, therapeutic spreadsheets, production sheets.
11. Must be familiar with regulations pertaining to WHMIS Regulation and GHS and successfully complete tests.
12. Any other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Dietary Aide stands and walks intermittently throughout the working day, as well as reaches, stoops, bends, lifts, carries, pushes, and manipulates various food products, dietary supplies, and equipment. The Dietary Aide must have an ability to work with chemicals and cleaning agents. Must be comfortable climbing stepstool. Must be able to lift and/or carry minimum 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and withstand exposure to temperature and humidity changes as in entering refrigerated storage areas, working at ovens, ranges, dish-washing machines, and at steam tables.