Dietary Aide

Tufts Medicine • Lowell, MA

4d • $17 - $19 • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Dietary Aide works in locations where food is prepared, including retail, patient, and catering operations. The role supports all aspects of food services, including menu selection, food preparation and delivery, and kitchen cleanliness and sanitation. The Dietary Aide prepares and serves meals based on general or special diets and helps maintain accurate patient diet orders and tray assembly. The position is described as entry level, with routine work typically performed under supervision.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Maintain and communicate accurate, updated diet order information through the system so patients receive meals, nourishments, and commercial enteral products in accordance with current diet orders.
• 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 diets; maintain accuracy and appropriateness of patient trays.
• Deliver trays to patients and pick up trays from patients.
• Follow patient-unit precautions, use PPE appropriately, and perform hand hygiene according to standards.
• Stock nursing-unit pantries with nourishments and dietary supplies using the 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 hot and cold food preparation and store food appropriately based on temperature requirements and spoilage knowledge.
• Maintain sanitation and temperature logs according to regulatory requirements.
• Set up, stock, serve, and deliver food from counters, steam tables, and workstations.
• Clean and sanitize dishware, equipment, and workstations; process patient trays and utensils, reassemble the tray line, and clean kitchen areas and equipment.
• Remove trash from assigned workstations or the kitchen and return recyclables or crushed cardboard to designated areas.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues and contribute to 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 or equivalent, accept payments, make change, and issue receipts or tickets.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and benefits starting on day one
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free on-campus parking
• Career growth opportunities
• Guaranteed hours and set schedule
• Comprehensive Total Rewards package supporting health, financial security, and career growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed