Home Aide

Position Summary: The Dietary Aide assists with preparing, assembling, serving, and delivering meals to patients or residents while following facility food-safety, sanitation, and therapeutic-diet requirements. The Dietary Aide works as part of the dietary team to provide safe, nutritious, and appealing meals and maintain a clean and organized kitchen and dining environment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Prepare and assemble meals, snacks, beverages, and food trays according to menus and dietary instructions. - Read and follow patient/resident diet orders, including modified-texture and special diets. - Deliver and collect meal trays from patient/resident rooms or dining areas. - Portion and plate food according to established standards. - Maintain proper food temperatures and follow food-safety procedures. - Wash dishes, utensils, cookware, and food-service equipment. - Clean and sanitize kitchen, dining, and food-preparation areas. - Follow infection-control, sanitation, and workplace-safety policies. - Communicate patient/resident food preferences, concerns, or meal issues to the appropriate dietary or nursing staff. - Perform other duties assigned by the Dietary/Food Service Supervisor. Qualifications - High school diploma or equivalent preferred; requirements may vary by employer. - Previous food-service, healthcare, nursing-home, or institutional-dining experience is helpful but may not be required. - Ability to read menus, diet instructions, labels, and written procedures. - Ability to follow food-safety and sanitation requirements. - Good communication and customer-service skills. - Ability to work effectively with patients/residents, families, and coworkers. - Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and perform physical food-service duties for extended periods. - Ability to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts when required. - Important Massachusetts Considerations Employers may have additional requirements depending on the setting. Healthcare facilities can also require training related to food safety, infection control, resident rights, and specialized/therapeutic diets. Specific requirements should be based on the facility and the position rather than assuming that every Massachusetts Dietary Aide job has the same licensing or certification requirements.