Patient Dining Assistant

DCH Health Care Authority•Tuscaloosa, AL

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Dining Assistant (PDA) is responsible for managing patient meal orders using the My Dining meal ordering system. This role involves direct patient interaction to take food choices, ensuring accuracy and adherence to physician-prescribed diets. The PDA will reaffirm orders, enter them into an iPad, print meal tickets, and manage tray delivery and removal. This position acts as a patient advocate, addressing concerns and ensuring timely, professional service. Adherence to TJC standards, including using two patient identifiers and scanning tray tickets, is crucial. The PDA serves as a liaison between patients, Nutritional Services, nursing, and other departments to foster a positive service culture. This role requires independent thinking, multi-tasking, prioritization, stringent time management, and strong communication skills, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Direct patient service is a primary focus, impacting patient satisfaction scores.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
Must be able to read and write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
Must be able to follow written and oral instructions.
Must have positive, verbal communication and one-on-one interaction skills with patients, families, doctors, nursing, and other hospital staff.
Knowledge and experience working with iPads and PCs is strongly recommended.
Working with iPads and computers and using cell-like phones are required.
Strong customer relations, communication, prioritization, time management, and multi-task skills are required.
Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
Physical presence onsite is essential.
Finger/hand dexterity to handle equipment, cell phone, and computers.
Ability to count carbs, calories, fluids, I/O, galley sheets, etc., and understand other patient needs.
Attention to detail for all patient requests, needs, and issues.
Cooperation and being pleasant and even-tempered with patients, family members, doctors, and co-workers.
Integrity; being honest and accountable for actions.

Nice To Haves

Must complete the ServSafe class within six months after hire and score a minimum of 75% on the written test.

Responsibilities

Pass out menus and instruct patients on the My Dining meal ordering system.
Verbally take diet-specific food choices from patients, guests, and/or family members for each meal.
Accurately process and meticulously follow all physician-prescribed diets.
Reaffirm all patient food requests by reading back food choices to the patient.
Enter patient food choices into the PDA’s iPad.
Print meal tickets, organize them, and place them on the patient tray line.
Build, deliver, scan, and remove patient trays at posted times.
Process and follow all diet requests while serving each patient/guest in a timely, professional, and efficient manner.
Act as a patient advocate, taking ownership of patient concerns and making independent decisions within the scope of care.
Follow up on patient concerns to a positive resolution.
Use two patient identifiers to positively identify each patient and digitally scan each tray ticket before a meal is served.
Act as a liaison between the patient, Nutritional Services, nursing, and other departments.
Work variable shifts as needed to adequately care for patients and other areas of nutritional services.
Consistently serve each guest in a professional and efficient manner.
Deliver and pick up finished patient trays in a timely manner.
Inventory, record, check for out-of-date items, and replace floor stock at established par levels on their designated nursing unit.
Have knowledge of My Dining processes and all diet restrictions.
Carry an issued Ascom phone, iPad, and scanner while on duty.
Use Meditech and view the status board for updates regarding patient needs and limitations.
Deliver between-meal nourishments directly to each guest when needed.
Ensure all actions reflect the goal of achieving a “5” on patient satisfaction goals, including active P.I. meal round surveys.
Participate as a team member by anticipating guest/team member needs and being proactive.
Work in the kitchen to dry trays, bag silverware, clean carts, and empty retrieval carts daily as needed.
Maintain performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards.
Perform compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Adhere to DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships.
Use electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
Adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned to ensure uninterrupted services.