Dietary Assistant

Odd Fellows•Walla Walla, WA

About The Position

The Dietary Assistant provides support for food service operations in a facility, following established food policies and procedures. The role works with the facility Dietitian/Director of Food Services as needed and implements recommended changes. Duties include preparing, serving, and delivering meals and snacks; setting up meal trays, food carts, and dining areas; checking trays before distribution; and removing carts and trays for cleaning. The position also performs kitchen cleaning and sanitation, maintains food storage and work areas, handles utensils and dishes, and assists with inventorying and storing incoming food and supplies. The role supports residents’ dignity, rights, safety, and confidentiality; follows infection-control, hygiene, and emergency procedures; reports safety, compliance, and resident-care concerns; and completes required training and competency assessments. The position involves frequent movement and physical tasks such as bending, kneeling, crouching, and overhead lifting. Work takes place in a well-lit, ventilated environment that may be warm during cooking, with possible exposure to hot or cold kitchen and storage areas, odors, dust, disinfectants, infectious materials, and other hazards. The role may involve interruptions, difficult or emotional interactions, emergency call-back, and work beyond normal hours or on weekends and holidays when necessary.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to work as a supportive team member and contribute to teamwork.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Ability to deal tactfully and patiently with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public, including difficult residents, family members, and staff.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday and perform physical movements including bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and overhead lifting.
Ability to assist in evacuating residents during emergencies.
Meet facility general health requirements, including medical and physical examinations and immunity-status checks for infectious diseases.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
Ability to maintain and use supplies, equipment, and work areas appropriately and perform regular inspections of food-service areas.
Must complete assigned training and skills competency as a condition of employment.
High school diploma.
Food handlers card.

Responsibilities

Assist with food functions as directed and follow established food policies and procedures.
Work with the Dietitian/Director of Food Services as necessary and implement recommended changes.
Serve meals according to portion-control procedures, ensuring that they are appetizing, palatable, and served on time.
Prepare and deliver snacks as directed.
Set up meal trays, food carts, and dining areas as instructed; collect and distribute menus.
Check dietary trays before distribution and deliver food carts to designated areas.
Remove food carts and trays from dining rooms to the dishwashing area.
Clean work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators, freezers, floors, and other assigned areas according to established procedures.
Wash and clean utensils, dishes, and cooking items; carry out garbage and keep work areas clean, dry, and free of hazards.
Maintain clean, properly arranged food storage areas and ensure equipment and supplies are clean and safely maintained.
Assist with inventorying and storing incoming food and supplies, and ensure food and supplies for the next meal are available.
Treat residents with dignity and respect and protect their rights.
Follow facility policies, business conduct standards, applicable regulations, safety and hygiene measures, and infection-control procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of protected health information and report policy violations, confidentiality breaches, retaliation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, and other specified concerns to appropriate personnel.
Report occupational exposures and work-related injuries or illnesses promptly.
Participate in life-safety and emergency drills and training, and fulfill assigned duties during activation of the facility emergency plan.
Complete assigned training and skills competency requirements.
Maintain and inspect food-service supplies, equipment, and work areas for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of duties.
Perform other duties as assigned.