Dietary Aide - Per Diem

Tufts Medicine • Lowell, MA

1d • $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 position prepares and serves meals for general and special diets and helps maintain food-service areas and equipment in accordance with organizational quality standards 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, and trash compactor.
• Ability to use a knife for slicing, cutting, and dicing.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Maintain and communicate accurate, current diet-order information in the system so patients receive meals, nourishments, and commercial enteral products appropriate to their orders.
• Ask patients about food preferences, intolerances, likes, and dislikes, and alert the Clinical Dietitian to actual or potential nutritional problems.
• Help patients select menu items and write or correct regular and assigned modified diet orders; maintain accurate and appropriate patient trays.
• Deliver trays to patients and collect trays after meals.
• 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, 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 considerations.
• Maintain accurate 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 and stack patient trays and utensils and reassemble the tray line.
• Remove trash from assigned work areas and the kitchen, return empty bottles and cans to the recycling bin, and 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 or equivalent, accept payments, make change, and issue receipts or tickets.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Free on-campus parking.
• Career growth opportunities.
• Comprehensive Total Rewards package supporting health, financial security, and career growth.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed