Patient Dining Assistant

DCH Health System•Tuscaloosa, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Dining Assistant (PDA) is responsible for managing the My Dining meal ordering system for patients. This includes distributing menus, instructing patients and their caregivers on the system, and verbally taking food orders, ensuring all physician-prescribed diets are accurately processed. The PDA will then confirm orders with patients, enter them into an iPad, print meal tickets, and organize them for the tray line. Additionally, the PDA will build, deliver, scan, and remove patient trays at designated times. This role acts as a patient advocate, addressing concerns and ensuring timely, professional, and efficient service. The PDA must use two patient identifiers for positive identification and scan tray tickets before serving meals, adhering to TJC standards. This position serves as a liaison between patients, Nutritional Services, nursing, and other departments, fostering a positive service culture. It requires independent thinking, multitasking, prioritization, stringent time management, and strong communication skills. The PDA must be self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision, as their direct patient service significantly impacts 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 different levels of patients, patient’s families, doctors, nursing, and other staff within the hospital setting.
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 complete the ServSafe class within six months after hire and score a minimum of 75% on the written test.
Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
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 be able to handle equipment, cell phone, computers.
Ability to count carbs, calories, fluids, I/O, galley sheets, etc., and 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 your actions.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience working with IPads and P.C.’s is strongly recommended.

Responsibilities

Accepting and working variable shifts as needed to care for patients and other nutritional services areas.
Consistently serving each guest in a professional and efficient manner.
Instructing each guest, visitor, and family member on the My Dining meal system.
Delivering and picking up finished patient trays in a timely manner according to established time constraints.
Inventorying, recording, checking for out-of-date items, and replacing floor stock at established par levels on their designated nursing unit as needed.
Having knowledge of My Dining processes and all diet restrictions utilized by the patient, family member, or friend.
Having an issued Ascom phone, iPad, and scanner with them while on duty.
Using Meditech and viewing their status board often for updates regarding patient needs and limitations.
Delivering between-meal nourishments (when needed) directly to each guest.
Being responsible for Quality Assurance control points for the My Dining system, ensuring all actions reflect the goal of achieving a “5” on patient satisfaction goals, including active P.I. meal round surveys.
Participating as a team member by anticipating guest/team member needs and being proactive to concerns, i.e., every patient; on every floor/nursing unit; for all meals.
Working in the kitchen to dry trays, bag silverware, clean carts, empty retrieval carts, etc., daily as needed.
Demonstrating computer literacy to use an iPad computer and its software and Ascom phones.
Maintaining performance, patient and employee satisfaction, and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
Performing compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Adhering to the DCH Behavioral Standards, including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues, and self.
Requiring use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software, and intranet.
Adhering to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
Performing all other duties as assigned regardless of assigned position for that day to ensure uninterrupted services.