Cafeteria Aide

Tufts Medicine•Lowell, MA

19h•$17 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Cafeteria Aide works in locations where food is prepared, including retail, patient, and catering operations. The position supports food-service activities such as menu selection, food preparation and delivery, and kitchen cleanliness and sanitation. The role also helps ensure patients receive meals and nutritional products that meet their current diet orders and preferences, while following food-safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Food-service experience.
Ability to read, write, and understand written instructions.
Interpersonal skills to interact with patients, the patient-care team, and employees.
Familiarity with therapeutic diets.
Knowledge of sterile food-handling techniques.
Ability to operate simple mechanical devices such as a coffee urn, dish machine, slicer, or trash compactor.
Ability to use a knife for slicing, cutting, and dicing.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, including prolonged standing and walking, lifting approximately 30 pounds, and pushing loaded carts.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of hospital food-services experience.

Responsibilities

Maintain and communicate accurate, up-to-date diet-order information so patients receive appropriate meals and nutritional products.
Ask patients about food preferences, intolerances, likes, and dislikes, and alert the Clinical Dietitian to actual or potential nutritional problems.
Assist patients with menu selection and write or correct regular and assigned modified-diet orders; ensure patient trays are accurate and appropriate.
Deliver trays to patients and collect trays after meals.
Follow patient-unit precautions, use personal protective equipment appropriately, and perform hand hygiene according to standards.
Stock nursing-unit pantries with nourishments and dietary supplies using a first-in, first-out system.
Assemble patient trays accurately and prepare menu items such as salads, sandwiches, desserts, and special items.
Use kitchen utensils to weigh, measure, mix, wash, peel, cut, grind, stir, strain, season, and knead food for cooking, serving, and storage.
Assist with preparing hot and cold foods and store food properly, observing temperature requirements and spoilage concerns.
Maintain sanitation and temperature logs according to regulatory requirements.
Set up, stock, serve, and deliver food from counters, steam tables, and work stations.
Clean and sanitize dishware, equipment, work stations, pots, utensils, floors, walls, and dish machines; process trays and utensils and reassemble the tray line.
Remove trash and return bottles and cans to recycling; move crushed cardboard to designated areas.
Maintain collaborative working relationships with peers and colleagues to support team goals and a positive work environment.
May prepare special nutritional products, including infant formulas, modular tube feedings, or powdered nutritionals for high-risk adult patients.
May operate a cash register, accept payments, make change, and issue receipts or tickets.
Work on one's feet for much of the day; lift and push carts as described in the physical requirements.
Follow food-handling and sanitation practices while working around patients, cleaning chemicals, hot equipment, heat, cold, steam, and garbage.