Job Overview Summary:
The Food Service Director is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the Dietary Department in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations, company policies and procedures, and as directed by the Administrator, and in coordination with the Registered Dietitian to ensure that qualified food service and nutritional care is provided to the residents in the Facility.
Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described below.
Functions:
Routinely inspects and completes evaluations of the status of the Dietary Department for compliance with company policies, procedures, standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations and develops action plans for items that need improvement
Serves on various committees, including "QAPI," as required by company standards, regulations, and/or appointment by the Administrator
Participates in the long-term care survey process. Instructs staff in matters of conduct and disclosure
Directs the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Undertakes corrective action while survey is in progress, if appropriate. Works with the Registered Dietitian and other Facility departments to develop survey plan of correction, as needed
Maintains good communications and working relationships with all departments in the Facility
Communicates issues, concerns, and opportunities for improvement to the Administrator routinely
Reports all hazardous conditions/equipment to the Administrator immediately
Purchases and confirms delivery of food, supplies, equipment, etc. from approved sources to ensure adequate stock levels to perform departmental functions and meet the needs of the residents within approved budgets
Maintains current records that reflect departmental expenditures
Communicates to the Administrator departmental budget needs and issues for food, supplies, capital equipment, and labor to meet the needs of the residents
Assumes responsibility for recruiting, selecting, and training department personnel
Prepares work schedules and maintains adequate staffing
Provides training to Dietary employees in all aspects of their job
Schedules and/or conducts a monthly in-service for department personnel. Holds routine departmental meetings. Provides education to other departments in the facility regarding Nutrition Services
Evaluates employee performance and develops education and training plans to improve the employees' skills and knowledge as needed. Makes recommendations to the Administrator concerning wage and salary adjustments, hiring, termination, transfers, etc.
Coordinates with the Registered Dietitian the review and customization of the regular and therapeutic menus to meet the food preferences of the residents in accordance with established policies, procedures, Diet Manual guidelines, standards of practice, and regulations
Coordinates with the Registered Dietitian to ensure that all diets ordered by the physician are planned on the therapeutic menu
Routinely obtains feedback and suggestions from residents via resident council, meal rounds, and/or interviews with residents, families, and staff to improve the menu
Provides feedback and suggestions to improve the menu to the Director of Dietary and Hospitality
Organizes food preparation and service and supervises staff to ensure food is prepared and served within scheduled timeframes according to the regular and therapeutic menus, resident preferences, and standardized recipes and that proper methods are utilized to preserve nutrient content, food safety, quality, flavor, and appearance
Monitors food temperatures and quality at point of service in all dining locations via test trays per company procedures and standards
Ensures that current nourishment lists/labels are available for residents who are to receive a nourishment/snack as part of their prescribed diet by a physician's order and/or as part of their nutritional plan of care
Monitors the distribution of nourishments, supplements, and meals to residents and takes corrective action when necessary.
Processes diet orders and changes promptly to ensure that an accurate tray card is available for each resident receiving meals
Ensures that new residents are visited upon admission to obtain a Diet History and food preferences and maintains a diet kardex or similar record of diet orders and food preferences
Conducts meal rounds several times per week and interviews staff and residents to ensure that residents are receiving foods in the amount, type, consistency, and frequency required to maintain or improve nutritional status
Ensures that food is received, stored, prepared, held, and served under sanitary conditions to prevent the transmission of food-borne illness
Fulfills job responsibilities in accordance with the standards set out in the Company's Code of Business Conduct, its policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable professional standards and codes of ethics
Provides feedback and suggestions to improve company policies, procedures, tools, and reference materials
Uses independent judgment and discretion on behalf of the organization in the performance of these duties
Demonstrates thorough knowledge of all Dietary positions
Works cooperatively as a team member with co-workers in all departments of the Facility
Performs job duties safely as specified in the physical, sensory, and mental requirements
Stays abreast of federal regulations for long-term care and food safety, as well as state-specific regulations for the state he/she works and incorporates into his/her work as needed
Monitors industry trends, new products, current research, and new programs in foodservice and incorporates into his/her work as needed
Maintains clinical nutrition documentation for residents in accordance with Facility policy and procedure, as well as state and federal regulations under the direction of the Registered Dietitian
Ensures documentation in the medical record is accurate
Ensures all documentation is completed within the required timeframes and in accordance with Facility policy and procedure, as well as state and federal regulations
Participates with the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate plans of care; attends care conferences; communicates resident concerns; and responds to interventions to the interdisciplinary team members, the Registered Dietitian, and direct care staff
Refers residents at nutritional risk to the Registered Dietitian. Follows up on recommendations of the Registered Dietitian as necessary
Qualifications:
Education High school graduate or equivalent
Graduate of a Dietary Manager's course approved by the Dietary Manager's Association or equivalent, as required by CMS Federal Guidelines for LTC
Degree in dietetic technology, dietetics, culinary arts, or foodservice management preferred
Licenses/Certification Food Handlers permit if required per state regulations
ServSafe Food Safety Certification if required per state regulations
Food Allergen Certification if required per state regulations
One or more of the following required per CMS regulations for LTC
Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional with the Dietary Manager's Association
Dietetic Technician, Registered, with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (this would allow being able to take the CDM exam)
Certification with the American Culinary Federation (this would allow being able to sit for the CDM exam)
Experience Two years' experience in large quantity food preparation
One year's experience in a supervisory role and experience with therapeutic diet preparation preferred
Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrates organizational and critical thinking skills
Effective interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to work independently, problem solve and make decisions as necessary
Ability to be patient while interacting with challenged or difficult residents
Ability to create a resident-centered environment
Ability to react decisively and quickly in emergency situations
Knowledge of policies and procedures and state and federal regulations Ability to read and write at a level appropriate for the job
Ability to communicate effectively with residents and their family members, and at all levels of the organization
Ability to read, speak, understand, and communicate effectively in English through verbal and written means
Required Responsibilities:
Successful demonstration of work standards, quality work product, productivity, and job knowledge are standard expectations for all company employees.
Core Competencies: Caring/Compassion
Accountability
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Effective Communication
Detail Oriented
Confidentiality
Team Player
Dedication