A high school diploma is the most important requirement for someone who wants to work as a dietary aide. After earning a General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an acceptable equivalent, a person in this field may be able to find work. This job typically requires good communication, reading, and math skills, as well as the ability to stand, walk around, and lift heavy items throughout the day.
A dietary aide assists cooks and other staff members in the planning, preparation, and serving of healthy meals. People in this field are frequently employed in health-care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, as well as in educational settings. Dietary aides assist in the creation of menus, with a focus on nutritious foods. They may also keep track of patient diets and communicate with other members of the team about special dietary requirements. They frequently ensure that food is served in a clean, appealing manner, assist with food-related sanitation, and assist facility kitchens in preparing for inspections.
A person who wants to work as a dietary aide usually doesn’t need any special training after graduating from high school or earning a GED. Instead, most people who are interested in this field receive on-the-job training. However, he could get relevant training by enrolling in nutrition and food-service-related courses at a community college. Such courses are also available at some vocational schools.
A person who wants to work as a dietary aide in some places must also obtain food-safety certification. If this is necessary, it is usually a quick procedure. A prospective aide should contact his or her jurisdiction’s health department to learn about the certification requirements.
A person who wishes to work as a dietary aide must be in good physical condition. He is not a good candidate for this job if he has any communicable diseases. The constant standing, walking, and bending that is required throughout the day necessitates good health. A person working in this field may also be required to lift heavy objects, such as boxes of food and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds (22.67 kilograms). A person in this field must also be able to withstand temperature changes, such as when entering a large freezer or using an oven.
A person who wants to work as a dietary aide should have strong math, reading, and writing skills, as well as good verbal communication skills. He might have to read and write diet records, menus, and recipes, adjusting quantities as needed with math. He’ll almost certainly have to communicate with not only the staff at the facility where he works, but also the patients or other people he assists.