DIETARY AIDE I

The Dietary Aide I at Riverside Healthcare plays a crucial role in supporting the hospitals food service operations. This position is responsible for serving patient meals, preparing boxed meals, maintaining clean and organized work areas, and ensuring that all food safety and sanitation standards are upheld. The Dietary Aide I also performs general cleaning tasks, including dishwashing, pot washing, and custodial duties, and is responsible for the proper handling, delivery, and pick-up of food carts to patient care areas. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Serve patient food trays accurately and efficiently.
• Prepare and package box meals for patients and other needs.
• Deliver and pick up food carts to and from patient care areas.
• Ensure that all food safety and sanitation standards are maintained during meal service.
• Correctly and safely use chemicals as per department standards.
• Perform general dishwashing duties, including cleaning of dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.
• Maintain cleanliness in backroom areas, tray line, dish room, and other food service areas.
• Assist with custodial tasks related to the kitchen and food service areas, ensuring cleanliness and compliance with safety protocols.
• Work on assigned tasks for special functions as directed by supervisors.
• Follow job flow standards for patient care, dish room, and cleaning tasks.

Non-essential Duties

• Assist with stocking and organizing supplies in various food service areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors to support food service operations.
• Participate in departmental training and team meetings when required.

Preferred Experience

• No formal education or previous experience required, but prior food service experience is a plus.
• Ability to learn and perform a variety of tasks on the job. 
• Strong attention to detail, especially regarding food safety and sanitation.
• Good communication and teamwork skills to work effectively with other staff.
• Ability to follow instructions and perform repetitive tasks consistently.
• Physical stamina to stand for long periods and handle food service equipment safely.
• Ability to work efficiently and complete tasks in a timely manner

Required Licensure/Education

• No licenses or certifications required.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Cleaning products, grease cleaner, sanitizer.
• Video Display Terminals: Occasionally
• Blood and Body Fluids: Occasional possibility to saliva and very rarely blood and/or vomit.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Frequent visits to patient floors, occasional visits to patient rooms.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Must be able to talk to staff and patients to complete assigned tasks.
• Vision: Needed to see food being served and cleanliness of work areas.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of electrical/fire hazard.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear co-workers, customers and management.
• Touch: Needed to handle dishes, silverware, etc., without dropping. Exposure to wet and slippery surfaces.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 0%
• Twist: 2%
• Stand: 80%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 40%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 20%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 2%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 10%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Continuously 
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently 
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally 
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required 
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required 
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Lift supplies needed to perform assigned tasks. Carry trays of food, stacks of dishes, cans of food, boxes of supplies. Occasionally lift something shoulder high.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 0
• Twist: 1
• Stand: 70
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 45
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 1
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 2
• Reach above shoulders: 1

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 15 lbs.: Normal weight <1lbs often>
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: Up to 200lbs occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Controls on equipment, sharp knives, writing

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8 
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range 
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Very loud 
• Humidity: Humid 
• Atmosphere:

Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical - Use of all equipment needed to complete tasks.

Protective Clothing Required: Slip resistant shoes; personal protective equipment (when using chemicals).