Are you looking to join a friendly and dedicated team who is committed and supported? Are you looking to make a difference to people in our care? Then you should apply for this role. Please note that it is a requirement that staff working in a residential aged care environment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at time of commencing employment.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Lutheran Aged Care - Overview

Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, not for Profit Company primarily funded by the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View Retirement Village, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Community Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 300 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, maintenance, management and administrative staff.
Role Objective

The Food Service Assistant is responsible for the delivery of high quality food services in line with legislative requirements, resident dietary needs and LAC policy/practice. In addition, the Food Service Assistant will ensure that all interactions, documentation and communications are conducted in a manner which supports Lutheran Aged Care Albury’s Vision, Mission and Values as well as enhancing resident lifestyle and choice.
Key Result Areas & Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Resident Care

• Prepare food in line with menus, dietary requirements of residents, recognised deadlines and budgets (where identified).
• Set up and clean serving areas, tables and other resident eating areas; clean up following meal service; serve meals to residents in a professional manner.
• Participate in the preparation and serving of food items for special events and functions as required.
• Ensure adequate stock levels of food items in line with menu planning; report shortages to relevant manager in the event of shortages; ensure the proper storage of food items in line with food handling regulations.
• Rotate stock in line with used by dates and ensure proper disposal of out of date or perished food items in line with procedures.
• In conjunction with relevant manager (and as required) prepare menus in line with dietary information and resident needs.
• Take delivery of food items from suppliers.
• Report varying or unusual eating patterns of residents to enable assessments to be carried out by relevant staff.
• Ensure all interactions with residents are courteous, professional and sensitive.
• Ensure preparation of meals to minimise waste of ingredients and food items.
• Report any catering shortfalls or instances of over catering to continually inform the menu planning process.
• Immediately report any defects in kitchen equipment to maintenance – isolate equipment (following procedure) where required.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain and document refrigerator/dishwasher temperatures in line with procedures and regulations; immediately report any irregularities to the relevant manager.
• Comply with HACCP procedures and food service guidelines to vulnerable persons as set out by NSW Food Authority.
• Participate in compliance audits where required.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety documentation requirements.

Food Safety & Infection Control

• Ensure compliance with food and work health and safety obligations including wearing of approved protective equipment, gloves, aprons, hats and shoes.
• Clean and maintain work environment within food handling standards.
• Ensure compliance with infection control standards and LAC policy for food safety and hygiene; immediately notify the Hotel Services Manager in cases of illness including flu, gastro and any other viral or contagious condition.
• Dispose of waste in an appropriate manner utilising correct receptacles and complying with recycling requirements.

Work Health & Safety

• Taking reasonable care for your own WHS.
• Ensure that your actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
• Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with each other.
• Comply with reasonable instructions, WHS initiatives and programs, policies and procedures.
• Report identified hazards and work related injuries using agreed procedures.
• Undertake and participate in safety audits, assessments and reviews as required.
• Correct, where possible and immediately report any unsafe situation including any near miss incidents.
• Understand situations that have the potential to be a disaster and emergency.
• Retaining knowledge of staff nominated to administer first aid and the Disaster & Emergency Team.
• Ensure you do not perform unfamiliar tasks where you have not received appropriate instruction or training.
• Contribute to the development of a safe and healthy working environment.
• Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with external agency staff or representatives of another PCBU.
• Do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of WHS.
• Participate in Return-to-Work programs when injured and support the Return-to-Work programs of co-staff.

Communication

• Actively participate in team meetings.
• Apprise the Hotel Services Manager of any changes, issues or concerns regarding the Food Services function and make recommendations where applicable.

Technology

• Access, utilise and maintain relevant systems such as ManAd.
• Ensure current knowledge of computer and other systems used relevant to the Hotel Services function.

Team

• Contribute to the overall growth, development and evaluation of Food Services.
• Participate as an active team member in department initiatives and projects as directed.
• Provide assistance to other team members as identified.
• All other duties as reasonably requested.

Organisational

• Participate in the quality management program of the organisation; comply with audit requirements and participate in audits.
• Demonstrated commitment to Lutheran Aged Care philosophies and values.

Personal Qualities

• Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
• Cooperation and team participation
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathy and consideration for older persons
• Willingness to develop professionally
• Self motivation and organisation
• Flexibility and responsiveness

Selection Criteria
Essential
1. Current / relevant Food Handling Certificate is required for Levels 1 and 2
2. Certificate III in Aged Care required for Level 2
3. Participate in ongoing education as determined by the organisation or regulations.
4. Demonstrated ability to prepare and serve high quality food in a high volume environment in line with food regulations and deadlines.
5. Demonstrated compliance with work health and safety standards including proper handling and use of equipment.
6. Strong customer service ethic and demonstrated ability to exceed customer expectations.
7. Demonstrated communication skills and ability to liaise at multiple levels including the aged.
8. Demonstrated skills in strict cleanliness and hygiene standards.
9. Demonstrated ability to understand working with the elderly.
10. Demonstrated ability to utilise computer based programs and software.
Relationships
This role has specific responsibility to develop internal relationships with the Hotel Services Manager, residents, relatives, Unit and Facility Managers and allied health professionals. This role may also be required to develop relationships with contractors, suppliers and temporary staff as appointed.

Lutheran Aged Care Albury has been looking after people in the Albury area since 1959. We are committed to service excellence and care for people. inspired by our values. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who employ people based on their merits and passion for caregiving.