The Daily Challenges of Food Service in a Skilled Nursing Facility
My name is Chucky Magno and I have had the pleasure of working as one of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare’s Food Service Directors since 2007. In my first six years with the organization, I managed the day-to-day kitchen operations at the Estates on Admiral’s Hill assisted living residence. I worked with individuals of all different backgrounds and was able to shape a cohesive, supportive team that encouraged each team member’s best work for the greater good of our residents.
I have to admit I was surprised when I was offered a more fast-paced position working at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home (CJNH), our skilled nursing facility. Despite being a bit nervous about a new facility and new staff, I was confident in my capabilities as Food Service Director. I knew that I could develop yet another unified team, but that there were many novel factors to consider. In a skilled nursing facility like CJNH, there are much higher demands and increased pressure due to varying diets that result from the sicker population of residents.
It didn’t take long for me to discover that I thrive in a fast-paced environment! In fact, I derived much personal satisfaction from the daily challenges and feel like I was able to make significant progress. This is evident by the deficiency-free Department of Public Health survey we have earned the past four years. I am incredibly proud of my kitchen staff and all of their hard work to maintain the highest quality food and service for our residents. To that end, there is no doubt in my mind that we have directly contributed to CJNH’s five-star quality rating.
In 2017, my team and I will be faced with new challenges as CJNH undergoes a massive renovation and transformation to the Green House® model of care. The Green House® model boasts a home-like environment, complete with three residential floors, two wings on each floor, with each wing having its own kitchen and dining room. Although this will present some unique obstacles that we have not previously encountered, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate our delivery of quality food and service. For this reason, we are all looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead of us.
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is a unique organization and I am so proud to be a part of the Chelsea Jewish family. At Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, there are vast opportunities for staff to advance their skills and knowledge, while facing challenges that build character and enrich experiences.
Come see our transformation mid-May at our ribbon cutting ceremony!
This blog is courtesy of Chucky Magno, Food Service Director at the Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home.
