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Dietary Aide Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A 14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide, or Dietary Aid, is responsible for cooking meals for medical patients and older people. Their role helps patients fulfill specific dietary requirements to promote their health and wellbeing. Their duties include preparing and cooking food dishes, delivering food to particular patients and assisting the kitchen staff in maintaining a clean, sanitary workplace.

14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide duties and responsibilities

Dietary Aides work alongside Dietitians, Dietary Managers and Chefs to help prepare food for residents and patients. They often have the following responsibilities:

  • Preparing meals, snacks and beverages following specific procedures
  • Serving meals, ensuring food safety and hygiene procedures are followed at all times
  • Taking inventory of kitchen supplies and food items
  • Staying current on the individual procedures and protocols for their facilities, including state-specified rules and regulations
  • Setting up and taking down dining areas and assisting with kitchen maintenance and general cleaning
  • Assisting with educational programs on nutrition
  • Planning menus alongside Chefs, Dietitians and Doctors
  • Tracking expenses

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Dietary Aide Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a 14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide do?

Dietary Aides are typically employed by hospitals, medical facilities and assisted living facilities. They interact with residents and medical patients to ensure that they enjoy their meals. Their job is to cater to a variety of different people with varying health conditions and food preferences. They also collect trash, clean dishes and collect trays after each meal. They may also be responsible for arranging dining areas and setting tables in community dining spaces.

14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide skills and qualifications

Dietary Aides use a variety of skills and other qualifications to provide the most comprehensive support they can. These skills can include:

  • Patience and compassion when working with residents and family members
  • Ability to communicate effectively with residents, family members and team members
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to follow instructions for meal orders, nutritional needs and recipes to ensure residents and patients receive appropriate food
  • Physical stamina to assist in food preparation and serving meals, helping residents with eating and cleaning up after meals

14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide salary expectations

Dietary Aides make an average of $10.96 per hour. Pay rate may depend on a candidate’s education, experience level and geographical location.

14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide education and training requirements

Most facilities employing Dietary Aides require that applicants have at least a high school diploma and a minimum of 1 year of experience with institutional food service. However, some may require candidates to have an associate degree in nutrition or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Employers may require Dietary Aides to participate in continuing education courses and on-site training.

14254512220dietary aide26.5dietary3.12food service2.1hospital1.23dishwasher1.087790168690237.6515.4325.85HOURLY37631414892025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Dietary Aide experience requirements

Experience requirements for Dietary Aides can vary from employer to employer. Typically, Dietary Aides are expected to have previous experience in a food service role. Dietary Aides should have experience preparing food, operating cooking equipment and maintaining kitchen and dining area cleanliness. Some employers may prefer candidates with prior experience working in nursing homes or assisted living facilities through volunteer opportunities.

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Frequently asked questions about Dietary Aides

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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