Position Summary
The Dietary Aide supports Nutrition & Food Services operations by assisting with safe food preparation, service, and sanitation for regular and therapeutic diets across patient care areas, unit kitchens, cafeteria, and catering services. This role is responsible for portioning, delivery, and pick-up of food items, dishware washing, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment. The Dietary Aide contributes to efficient service delivery by following established menus, food safety standards, and sanitation procedures while working collaboratively with the Nutrition & Food Services team.
Key Responsibilities
Food Preparation & Service:
- Prepares assigned menu items for patients, cafeteria service, Meals on Wheels, and assigned special catering by following established
menus, standardized recipes and quantity requirements.
- Portions food accurately for patient belt line service and cafeteria operations.
- Assists with basic food preparation tasks as assigned
- Ensures timely set up of cold food for patient service and hot food for cafeteria service.
- Receives and stores food supplies as assigned. Food Handling & Storage:
- Plans cooking schedule to minimize time between food preparation and service.
- Ensures that meat and prepared food are removed from freezers in sufficient time to be safely thawed under refrigeration.
- Maintains proper food storage practices, including rotation, covering, labelling, and dating all food items to minimize waste and
spoilage.
Sanitation & Equipment:
- Cleans and sanitizes dishes, utensils, pots, pans and service equipment according to established procedures.
- Ensures general clean up of work areas and transports soiled items to the pot washing area for cleaning.
- Operates kitchen equipment safely, using protective guards as required.
- Reports equipment issues, safety hazards, or supply needs to the supervisor Safety, Quality &
Team Participation:
- Follows established food safety and sanitation procedures, including proper handling of raw and cooked foods and used thermometers
as required.
- Participates in quality assurance activities, team meetings, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provides input into menu planning and the evaluation of new products or recipes when requested. Receiving food supplies as assigned.
Other Duties:
- Unlock refrigerators, freezers, storerooms, and designated doors as required.
- Performs other duties as may be assigned by the Nutrition and Food Services Supervisor and/or direct manager
Qualifications
Education:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or equivalent is required.
- Successful completion of Food Safety Handling Course (e.g. Proton, Health Unit or equivalent) required or willing to obtain prior to start date is required.
- Successful completion of a Community College Food Service Worker program is an asset.
Experience
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in food services is preferred.
- Experience in a hospital or healthcare setting is preferred.
- Experience in large-scale or quantity food production is considered an asset.
Skills and Traits
- Must be able to meet the physical and emotional responsibilities of the role, including standing and walking for extended periods,
frequent and repetitive pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds, as well as safely operating equipment.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, as outlined in the Physical Demands Analysis (PDA).
- Demonstrates proficiency in written and verbal communication, with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Provides excellent customer service and contributes positively to teamwork and collaborative working relationships.
- Effectively prioritizes workload, adapts to changing priorities, and remains composed in fast-paced or stressful environments.
- Works independently with sound judgment, while remaining flexible to meet departmental and organizational needs.
- Demonstrates understanding of, and commitment to, equity, diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety.
- Upholds professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and respectful interactions.
- Models behaviour aligned with OSMH’s mission, vision, and values.
- Uses required technology and digital tools effectively and demonstrates a willingness to learn new systems.
- Contributes to a culture of safety and continuous improvement by identifying risks, following safe work practices, and supporting
quality initiatives.
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through continuous learning and reflective practice.
Other
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through participation in continuing education and
self-directed learning opportunities
Our Team Members Enjoy
- a professional practice environment
- a collaborative atmosphere with emphasis on teamwork
- wellness initiatives
- continuing education grants
- employee recognition and assistance programs
- a competitive salary and benefits package
- equal opportunities for growth and development
Employment Equity
OSMH is committed to diversity and equity in the workplace and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons and others who may contribute to a diverse workplace.
Accommodation in the Workplace
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, equal opportunity and maintaining a barrier-free selection process for job applicants. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known to the Human Resources department when contacted. All requests are handled confidentially.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new team members are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Hiring at OSMH:
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital’s (OSMH) may utilize automated screening tools (i.e. questionnaires) to highlight candidates' qualifications; however, OSMH does not involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants. We recommend applying directly through our website as all applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.
Closing Statement
OSMH is a minimal fragrance workplace. We kindly ask all applicants to refrain from using scented products should they have the occasion to interview with the hospital.
As a condition of employment OSMH requires professional references, verification of academic training, professional accreditation and evidence of course completion. It is also a condition of employment that all new team members will be required to present an original vulnerable sector check within 90 days of commencing employment and must sign an Offense Declaration upon receipt of an offer of employment.
If you are interested in joining our team, please apply online before 11:59 pm on the posting close date. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
