Cook - West Haven

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CARE GROUP•West Haven, UT

5d•$15 - $18

About The Position

The Cook prepares food in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, as well as established facility policies and procedures. The role is part of the Food Services department and reports to the Dietary Manager or Administrator/Executive Director. There are no positions reporting to this role. The Cook reviews menus, prepares and serves meals and snacks, follows standardized recipes and diet orders, processes diet changes received from Nursing Services, and helps ensure meals are ready and served on time. The position also supports food-service administration, inventory and storage, cleaning, sanitation, equipment and supply upkeep, and special meals or events. The Cook is expected to protect residents’ rights and confidentiality, follow safety and infection-control practices, complete required training, and report incidents or compliance concerns. The role requires the ability to prepare a variety of foods in large quantities, communicate with residents, families, staff, and visitors, and perform physical tasks throughout the workday. Work takes place in a ventilated, well-lit area that is warm for cooking, with possible exposure to kitchen heat or cold, odors, air contaminants, infectious materials, and challenging interactions. The position may involve interruptions, emergency call-back, and work beyond normal hours, including weekends and holidays when necessary.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Current, active Food Handlers Permit.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to prepare a variety of foods in large quantities and knowledge of food-service practices and procedures.
Ability to taste and smell food to assess quality and palatability.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Ability to work as a supportive team member and contribute to teamwork.
Ability to deal tactfully and patiently with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public, including difficult residents, family members, or staff.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday and perform bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, overhead lifting, and other common physical movements required for the role.
Must meet facility general health requirements, including medical and physical examinations and immunity-status checks for various infectious diseases.
Ability to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies.
Ability to maintain supplies, equipment, and work areas and inspect food-service areas for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of duties.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary; subject to call-back during emergency conditions.
Agreement to abide by facility standards, policies, procedures, and compliance and ethics program; compliance is a condition of employment and performance appraisal.

Nice To Haves

One year of dietary or food-service experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital, nursing care facility, or other related medical facility; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Review menus before food preparation and prepare meals.
Work with the Dietitian/Director of Food Services as needed and implement recommended changes.
Follow established food procedures and applicable policies.
Complete required forms and reports and submit them to the Dietitian/Director of Food Services.
Help establish the food-service production line so meals are prepared on time.
Process diet changes and new diets received from Nursing Services.
Prepare meals according to planned menus, standardized recipes, therapeutic diets, and special diet orders.
Prepare and serve appetizing, palatable meals and serve them on time, using standardized portion-control procedures.
Help serve meals as necessary and ensure appropriate utensils and equipment are provided with resident meal trays.
Prepare bedtime snacks and substitute foods for residents who refuse the foods served.
Assist with or direct daily cleaning duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Help prepare food for special meals, parties, and other events.
Maintain adequate stock levels of staple and non-staple food, supplies, and equipment.
Treat residents with dignity and respect, promote and protect their rights, and protect them from abuse or mistreatment.
Follow facility policies, business-conduct standards, state and federal regulations, safety and hygiene practices, and infection-control procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of protected health information and report policy violations, confidentiality breaches, retaliation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment to appropriate personnel.
Report occupational exposures and work-related injuries or illnesses, and participate in life-safety and emergency drills and assigned emergency-plan duties.
Complete assigned training and skills competency requirements.
Keep food-storage areas clean and properly arranged; keep the department, equipment, and supplies clean and safe.
Help inventory and store incoming food and supplies and ensure items needed for the next meal are available.
Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director of Food Services.
Communicate with medical and nursing staff and other departments.
Assist in evacuation of residents during emergencies when needed.