Director of Dietary

Job Description:

Purpose

The Director of Dietary Services provides supervision and guidance to the Dietary Department, ensuring the quality of the food and service being provided to the residents.

Scope

The Director of Dietary Services reports to the Director of Care and is responsible for the smooth operation of the Dietary Department, including being the primary contact for other departments for matters relating to dietary services.

The Director of Dietary Services directs and assists with the preparation of and serving of regular meals and therapeutic diets, orders any ingredients or other supplies needed for the department, and is responsible for ensuring the sanitary condition of the area and all equipment.

Responsibilities/Duties

Duties are determined by the facilities needs and may include, but are not limited to the following:

· Directs and supervises all dietary functions and personnel

· Maintains cost records and works to meet budget guidelines

· Hires, orients, trains, counsels, disciplines, and when appropriate, terminates dietary employees

· Schedules department employees, with the responsibility that the department is always properly staffed

· Develops job descriptions, cleaning schedules, and other dietary management tools, as required

· Develops menus and coordinates with the dietitian.

· Checks in and inventories incoming food and supplies

· Is responsible for food purchase, production, and timely service of meals

· Assures that proper storage is available, and that handling of food and supplies complies with guidelines

· Processes new diet orders and diet changes when received from nursing service, and keeps diet cards updated

· Plans and assists in preparation and service of holiday and special meals and functions

· Visits residents to do initial nutritional assessment and screening, explain diet, record food preferences, and promote quality food service

· Reviews residents who are at nutritional risk weekly and documents all visits/updates

· Participates in department head meetings

· Evaluates work performance and gives evaluations to dietary employees

· Coordinates dietary services with resident care coordinator and activities director

· Assures that food and supplies are available for use by dietary personnel

· Monitors food distribution for accuracy before delivery

· Ensures that recipes are suitable for the size of the facility

· Checks diet orders that are received against physicians’ orders at least once a month, and notifies nursing of discrepancies

· Inspects storage areas on a weekly basis for proper temperatures, cleanliness, and organization, assisting in cleaning procedures as needed

· Inspects Dietary Department regularly to ensure that it is safe and sanitary

· Submits written reports to administration as necessary

· Plans and presents in-service education programs for the Dietary Department, and the rest of the care delivery team as requires

· Investigates on-the-job injuries and corrects the problem and/or retrains the employee as necessary

· Ensures continued compliance with all federal, provincial, and local regulations

· Maintains current Dietary Assessment for each resident

· Participates interdisciplinary Care Plan meetings and updating dietary assessments when necessary

· Maintains the security of the Dietary Department

· Is responsible for knowing, understanding, and conveying to other dietary staff personnel the Federal, provincial, and local rules and regulations regarding nursing home dietary requirements and is responsible for their enforcement within the scope of the Dietary Department

· Performs other tasks as necessary and appropriate when assigned

Qualifications

· The Director of Dietary must be a graduate of a food service/nutrition management course or equivalent and possess 2-5 years management experience in a kitchen environment.

· Must be Red Seal certified.

o Certification as a Registered Dietitian on PEI would be considered an asset

· WHMIS

· CPR

· A current background check from the RCMP or city police

· Must be able to read, write and understand English.

· Must possess leadership qualities and be able to supervise and secure the cooperation of the dietary personnel.

· Must be able to work productively with other department heads and personnel, and the dietary consultants.

· Must enjoy working with geriatric residents.

Physical Requirements:

The Director of Dietary stands and walks intermittently throughout the working day, as well as reaches, stoops, bends, lifts, carries, and manipulates various food products, dietary supplies, and equipment. The Director of Dietary must have the ability to work with chemicals/cleaning agents.