Job Title: Dietary AideJob DescriptionThe Dietary Aide supports food service operations by assisting with meal preparation, meal delivery, and sanitation in a healthcare or retirement community setting. This role helps ensure that patients and residents receive meals that meet dietary requirements, safety standards, and quality expectations, while providing courteous and efficient service to patients, staff, and visitors.
Responsibilities- Prepare and serve meals according to planned menus and established dietary guidelines.
- Assist with food preparation, portioning, and plating to ensure accurate and attractive meal presentation.
- Support tray line operations, including assembling and organizing meal trays for patients and residents.
- Deliver meals to patients and residents and assist with tray setup as needed.
- Provide friendly, efficient customer service to patients, staff, and visitors during meal service.
- Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen, dining, and service areas in accordance with facility standards.
- Perform routine cleaning tasks, including washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and organizing work areas.
- Follow all food safety protocols and infection control procedures to ensure a safe dining environment.
- Handle food items properly, including storage, labeling, and rotation, to maintain quality and safety.
- Communicate effectively with nursing staff and the dietary team regarding patient and resident meal needs and preferences.
- Record meal counts accurately and assist with inventory and stock management as needed.
- Support bakery or basic baking tasks as required for meal and dessert preparation.
- Operate cashier functions when needed, handling transactions in a courteous and efficient manner.
- Collaborate with team members in food production and hospitality to ensure smooth meal service.
- Assist with supervision and support of food-related activities and events, including those held outdoors.
Essential Skills- Experience in foodservice or food preparation within healthcare, retirement, or institutional settings.
- Ability to perform basic cooking and food prep tasks, including portioning, plating, and tray line service.
- Strong customer service orientation with the ability to interact courteously with patients, residents, staff, and visitors.
- Knowledge of food handling and food safety practices, including infection control procedures.
- Capability to maintain cleanliness and sanitation in kitchen, dining, and service areas.
- Effective communication skills to coordinate with nursing staff and the dietary team regarding meal needs.
- Ability to manage basic cashier duties and handle transactions accurately when required.
- Reliability in following scheduled shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications- Background in hospitality, line cook work, or chef support in a foodservice environment.
- Experience in food production or bakery and baking tasks is beneficial.
- Comfort working in a moderately loud, fast-paced environment with changing demands.
- Attention to detail in recording meal counts and assisting with inventory tracking.
- Ability to support and participate in special events and activities related to foodservice.
- Flexibility to adapt to varying dietary needs and menu changes in a healthcare or retirement setting.
Why Work Here?Join a stable, nationally established organization that supports a retirement community in Central Pennsylvania, offering consistent work without the fear of downsizing or layoffs. You will be part of a team-focused environment that values reliability, service, and care for residents, providing a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the daily comfort and well-being of others.
Work EnvironmentThis position is part-time on second shift, working 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays as business needs require. The role is based in a healthcare and retirement community setting on a smoke-free campus. Work occurs primarily indoors in kitchen and dining areas, with occasional supervision or support of outside activities and events. The schedule may include evenings, holidays, weekends, and extended hours as business dictates. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate to loud, reflecting an active foodservice operation. Appropriate foodservice attire and adherence to facility hygiene and safety standards are expected.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mechanicsburg, PA.
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