How to hire a dietary worker

How to hire a dietary worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dietary worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dietary worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dietary worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a dietary worker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A dietary worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dietary workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents dietary worker salaries for various positions.

   Type of Dietary Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Dietary Worker	Food preparation workers perform many routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, brew coffee or tea, and perform many other food service tasks.	$10-16
   Sandwich Artist	Sandwich artists are employees at any restaurant that specializes in sandwiches. They manage the sandwich station and answer any inquiries that customers may have on the different ingredients available... Show more	$8-14
   Food Service Aide	Food service aids, although often overlooked, is indispensable in large dining facilities. They manage all activities that involve the serving of food to clients... Show more	$11-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Food Service
   • Customer Service
   • Dishes
   • Phone Calls
   • Patient Orders
   • Patient Care
   • Food Handling
   • Food Orders
   • Food Trays
   • Meal Service
   • HACCP
   • Tray Line
   • Kitchen Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Job duties consist of delivering food trays to patients, maintaining a clean and sanitary work space, and restocking products.
   • Prepare and provide healthy meal to patients according to their nutritional requirement.
   • Assist with planning and directing food preparation and culinary activities along with safely handling and storing all products appropriately.
   • Experience in operating a heavy duty dishwasher
   • Stack washable items for dishwasher and operate dishwasher according to department guidelines.
   • Distribute meals, help with cleanup and adhere to hospital sanitation policies.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your dietary worker job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dietary worker salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, dietary workers' average salary in louisiana is 45% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dietary workers earn 40% less than senior-level dietary workers.
   • Certifications. A dietary worker with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dietary worker's salary.

   Average dietary worker salary

   $13.27hourly

   $27,601 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dietary worker salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

4. Writing a dietary worker job description

   A job description for a dietary worker role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a dietary worker job description:

   Dietary worker job description example

   $11.00 / hour plus additional $3.00 / hour attendance incentive.

   Great Benefits.

   
   

   DIETARY WORKER

   JOB DESCRIPTION

   
   
   

   SUMMARY:

   Works as a team member to provide meals for nursing home residents according to established dietary procedures. Works under the supervision of the Dietary Supervisor. The list demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed to be a Dietary Aide. This list is not a complete list of duties and requirements of the Dietary Aide.

   
   

   1. Work with the facility's dietician as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
   2. Assure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
   3. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel, as well as with other departments within the facility to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
   4. Prepare and deliver meals.
   5. Serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
   6. Assist in serving meals as necessary and on a timely basis.
   7. Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
   8. Clean work tables, meat blocks, refrigerators/freezers, etc.
   9. Sweep and mop floors as directed.
   10. Carry soiled utensils, etc. to wash area.
   11. Set up meal trays, food carts, dining room, etc., as instructed.
   12. Assist in preparing meals.
   13. Obtain food supplies for next meal.
   14. Assist in checking diet trays before distribution.
   15. Deliver food carts, trays, etc., to designated areas.
   16. Serve food in dining room as instructed.
   17. Perform dishwashing/cleaning procedures. Assure that utensils, etc., are readily available for next meal.
   18. Prepare and deliver snacks.

   
   

   QUALIFICATIONS :

   Must possess at least a 10th grade education.

   
   

   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

   To be successful in this job, the employee must be able to stand and walk during the shift. Movements required are bend/stoop, squat, crawl, climb, kneel, pushing/pulling, and reach above shoulder level. Hand use is not constant and low stress. Hand use will include occasional griping, squeezing, and using the fingers to feel and control objects. The individual must be able to carry 30 pounds and be able to lift and move 75 pounds or more.

   I must meet all qualifications and can perform all duties and responsibilities fully without additional accommodations or help.

   
   

   WORK ENVIRONMENT:

   While doing this job the Dietary Worker could be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, and body fluids, which can contain AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. Chemical exposures are limited to cleaners, disinfectants, and personal care items. Dietary Workers occasionally work beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and holidays.

   
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find dietary workers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your dietary worker job on Zippia to find and recruit dietary worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit dietary workers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dietary worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the dietary worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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