Page 76 - Life Happens in the Kitchen

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CONSIDER THE OPTIONS
Workforce
Cross-training workers into versatile worker positions can enhance both productivity and job satisfaction for staff in traditionally department specific roles. In any blended position, the importance of ongoing involvement from the traditional department leaders in the selection, orientation, training, quality monitoring and performance evaluation of the versatile worker cannot be overstated.
Many facilities have successfully blended dietary aide and housekeeper positions into
a new role of homemaker, a person responsible for the dining experience and the cleanliness of the area. When planning schedules, remember that the “clean/dirty” task relationship is everything in infection control. These positions can be successfully blended with consideration of performing clean tasks first, outstanding hand washing (and the frequent use of hand sanitizer) and a change in outer garments (scrub jackets work well) when transferring from dirty to clean. A clean, full set of scrubs always present in the neighborhood or household accommodates for those unpredictable dirty days.
Remember to move the leadership – RD and CDM in dietary and the supervisor in housekeeping – closer and closer to the residents. Generally, unless these leaders are already working scheduled floor shifts, there will still be plenty of opportunities for capturing some down time for their leadership roles.
Some facilities have also incorporated a blend of activities into the dietary role, using a team approach of one staff leading the activities during the meal prep, then the other staff leading an activity during meal clean up.
Work toward efficiencies in documentation based on the close relationships in households, and to exchange household staff to participate in the documentation and RAI process.
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