Dietary Aide PT Day Shift

Estherville Community Care Center is looking for a part-time day shift dietary aide!

Estherville, Iowa

Position Summary

The Dietary Aide is responsible for assisting with the preparation, serving, and cleanup of meals for residents in a long-term care facility. This position helps ensure residents receive nutritious meals that meet physician-ordered diets while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and customer service. The Dietary Aide plays an important role in promoting resident satisfaction, dignity, and quality of life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare dining rooms and serving areas before meals.
• Assist with meal preparation according to menus and standardized recipes.
• Assemble and deliver meal trays according to physician-prescribed diets and resident preferences.
• Serve meals in dining rooms while providing courteous and respectful service.
• Assist residents with opening containers, cutting food, and other non-feeding tasks as needed.
• Ensure proper food temperatures are maintained during preparation and service.
• Collect meal trays and clean dining areas following meal service.
• Wash dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and kitchen equipment using proper sanitation procedures.
• Clean and sanitize food preparation areas, workstations, equipment, and storage areas.
• Stock food, beverages, supplies, and paper products.
• Rotate food supplies using First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Report equipment malfunctions, food shortages, and safety concerns to the Dietary Manager.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures.
• Comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA and food safety standards.
• Participate in emergency preparedness procedures as assigned.
• Attend required in-service education and staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Experience

• Previous experience in food service, healthcare, hospital, or long-term care preferred but not required.
• Customer service experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic food preparation and sanitation practices.
• Understanding of therapeutic diets is preferred.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds with assistance.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and twisting.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and wet environments.
• Manual dexterity to operate kitchen equipment safely.

Working Conditions

• Long-term care/skilled nursing facility.
• Exposure to commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning chemicals, and temperature extremes.
• Weekend, holiday, and rotating shift work may be required.