The Dietary Aide supports the dietary department in providing residents with nutritious, appealing, and properly prepared meals in a safe, clean, and respectful environment. This position assists with meal preparation, meal service, dining room setup, dishwashing, kitchen sanitation, and other dietary duties as assigned.
The Dietary Aide is expected to provide courteous and compassionate service to residents while following established menus, dietary requirements, food safety practices, infection control procedures, and company policies. The Dietary Aide works closely with the Dietary Manager, Cook, nursing staff, and other team members to ensure residents receive meals and snacks accurately and on schedule.
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Assist with the preparation of meals, snacks, beverages, and other food items according to established menus, recipes, and facility procedures.
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Prepare and serve meals in accordance with residents' prescribed diets, food allergies, restrictions, and documented dietary needs.
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Assist with setting up meal trays and dining areas prior to meal service.
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Verify meal trays and portions for accuracy before meals are delivered or served.
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Deliver meals, snacks, and beverages to residents as directed.
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Provide courteous, respectful, and friendly service to residents during meal service.
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Assist residents with meal-related needs within the scope of the position and company procedures.
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Report concerns regarding a resident's appetite, food refusal, dietary needs, or other meal-related concerns to the appropriate supervisor or nursing staff.
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Follow all food handling, storage, preparation, temperature control, and sanitation requirements.
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Maintain clean and sanitary kitchen, food preparation, storage, dining, and serving areas.
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Wash, sanitize, and properly store dishes, utensils, cookware, and other kitchen equipment.
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Assist with cleaning floors, counters, appliances, refrigerators, freezers, and other dietary areas as assigned.
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Properly dispose of food waste and trash.
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Assist with receiving, storing, rotating, and organizing food and dietary supplies.
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Check food and supplies for proper storage, expiration dates, and overall condition and report concerns to the supervisor.
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Follow proper procedures for handling cleaning chemicals and equipment.
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Maintain appropriate personal hygiene and wear required protective equipment and work attire.
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Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
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Maintain confidentiality of resident information in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
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Attend required staff meetings, training, and in-service programs.
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Communicate professionally and work cooperatively with dietary, nursing, and other facility staff.
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Follow all Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma policies, procedures, safety requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Dietary Manager, Administrator, or designee.
The Dietary Aide is expected to treat every resident with dignity, respect, patience, and compassion. Employees must recognize that mealtimes are an important part of the resident experience and should promote a pleasant, welcoming, and respectful dining environment.
Employees must promptly report any concerns involving resident safety, changes in eating patterns, significant food refusal, choking concerns, or other issues that may require nursing or supervisory attention.
Required:
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Ability to read, write, communicate, and understand instructions necessary to safely perform the position.
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Ability to follow written menus, recipes, dietary instructions, and facility procedures.
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Ability to work cooperatively with residents, families, coworkers, and supervisors.
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Ability to maintain a clean and sanitary work environment.
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Ability to safely perform the physical duties associated with the position.
Preferred:
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Previous experience in food service, dietary services, healthcare, assisted living, long-term care, hospitality, or a similar environment.
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Previous experience working with older adults or individuals requiring supportive services.
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Food Handler certification or permit, when required by applicable law or company policy.
A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Previous food service or dietary experience is preferred but not required. Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma may provide training to qualified employees based on the needs of the facility and position.
The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:
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Standing and walking for extended periods.
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Bending, stooping, reaching, and twisting.
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Frequently lifting and carrying food, supplies, dishes, and equipment.
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Pushing and pulling carts or other equipment.
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Repetitive use of hands and arms for food preparation, serving, cleaning, and dishwashing.
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Ability to safely navigate kitchen, dining, and resident care areas.
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Ability to respond appropriately to resident and workplace needs.
The Dietary Aide works primarily in a kitchen, dining, and residential care environment. The position may involve exposure to heat, cold, steam, food products, cleaning chemicals, wet floors, kitchen equipment, and routine food service noise.
The employee is expected to follow all safety, sanitation, infection control, and workplace policies.
This position may require:
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Day, evening, or weekend shifts.
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Holiday work as scheduled.
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Flexible scheduling based on resident meal service needs.
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Regular and dependable attendance.
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Timely arrival and readiness to work at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
The Dietary Aide may have access to confidential resident, employee, and company information. All confidential information must be protected and may only be accessed, used, or disclosed as authorized by Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma policy and applicable law.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination and in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Oklahoma Right-to-Work and Employment Relationship
Oklahoma is a right-to-work state. Employment with Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma is not conditioned upon membership in, or payment of dues or fees to, a labor organization.
Employment with Reliant Living Centers of Oklahoma is at-will, unless otherwise provided by a written agreement signed by an authorized representative of the Company. This means that either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Nothing in this job description creates or guarantees a contract of employment or alters the at-will employment relationship.
