Cook 1

Modoc Medical Center•Alturas, CA

8d•$21 - $31•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Dietary Services Manager, the Cook I prepares, seasons, and cooks food for hospital patients, staff, and visitors. The role ensures meals are ready at specified times, follows therapeutic diet orders and approved recipes, maintains food and equipment temperature and sanitizer logs, and keeps the kitchen clean, organized, and safe. The Cook I works with Dietary Services leadership and the Clinical Dietitian as needed, supports and trains Dietary Aides and new employees, and contributes to departmental performance improvement activities. The position requires respectful, professional communication and collaboration with patients, families, visitors, and facility staff; observance of infection-control practices and patient confidentiality; and completion of applicable education, regulatory, and health-screening requirements. The department may modify assigned duties, and the position may require work beyond normal hours or temporary work in other positions when necessary.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Food handling certificate and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, mandatory in-services, departmental in-services, and required staff meetings.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Previous experience in Food Service.
Dependable and reliable, with good attendance and the ability to work with and collaborate effectively with people at all organizational levels.
Above-average interpersonal, problem-solving, written communication, and oral communication skills.
Ability to work as a team player, protect sensitive information, respect staff members and other people’s time, and remain accountable for work output.
Ability to function independently, maintain personal integrity, demonstrate flexibility, and work effectively with personnel, clients, and support agencies.
Ability to use Microsoft Office applications and office machines, organize data and records, and make appropriate recommendations or conclusions based on obtained data.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; push meal carts; stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach; stand for long periods; work in warm summer temperatures and briefly in a walk-in freezer; and lift up to 35 pounds without assistance.
Willingness to work beyond normal working hours and temporarily in other positions when necessary.

Nice To Haves

Additional language skills are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare, season, and cook food for hospital patients, staff, and visitors.
Ensure meals are ready at specified times and follow therapeutic diet orders, spreadsheets, and alternate meal requests.
Consult the Dietary Services Manager and/or Clinical Dietitian about modified diets as necessary.
Oversee Dietary Aides while they wash, trim, or prepare food.
Measure and mix ingredients according to approved recipes using blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers, and other equipment.
Prepare sauces, soups, stews, casseroles, and desserts in accordance with established dietary guidelines.
Cook meat, fish, and poultry by methods including baking, roasting, broiling, and steaming; carve portions according to menus and patient diet orders.
Test food for doneness, adjust heat controls, perform batch cooking as needed, and adjust ingredients or seasonings to improve flavor and texture.
Calculate recipe measurements to increase or decrease serving quantities.
Maintain safe food temperatures and complete food-temperature, equipment-temperature, and sanitizer logs.
Keep the kitchen clean, neat, and organized; observe infection-control practices.
Treat patients and families with respect and dignity, maintain patient confidentiality, and communicate the hospital’s mission, ethics, and goals.
Participate in departmental performance-improvement activities and assist with orientation and training of new employees.
Maintain professional conduct and effective working relationships; communicate clearly and respectfully with managers, coworkers, patients, visitors, and other departments.
Maintain organized records and provide them upon request; perform assigned tasks accurately and on time.
Answer phone calls, assist the public, and refer inquiries appropriately in a professional and friendly manner.
Meet professional requirements, including adherence to dress code, wearing identification while on duty, completing applicable education and regulatory requirements, attending required meetings and evaluations, and reporting to work on time.
Complete annual physical examination and TB testing.
Work a flexible schedule as needed by the department and work beyond normal hours or in other positions temporarily when necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned.