Cook - Dardenne (55942)

Rocky Mountain Care Group•Dardenne Prairie, MO

About The Position

The Cook prepares food in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, regulations, and facility policies and procedures. The position 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 and prepares and serves meals, snacks, and substitute foods for residents, following planned menus, standardized recipes, portion-control procedures, therapeutic diets, and special diet orders. The role also supports food-service production, processes diet changes, maintains food and supply inventory and storage, and helps keep work areas and equipment clean and safe. The Cook is expected to treat residents with dignity and respect, protect residents’ rights and confidential health information, follow safety, hygiene, and infection-control procedures, and report concerns or incidents as required. The position requires communication with medical and nursing staff and other departments, participation in assigned training and emergency drills, and the ability to assist with resident evacuation during emergencies. The work takes place in a ventilated, well-lit area that is warm for cooking. The role may involve exposure to heat or cold in kitchen and storage areas, odors, dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, air contaminants, infectious materials, and difficult or emotionally distressed people. The workday may include frequent interruptions, and the employee may be called back during emergencies. The employee may need to work beyond normal hours and on weekends or 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 cook a variety of foods in large quantities and knowledge of food-service practices and procedures.
Ability to taste and smell food to determine 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 deal tactfully and patiently with residents, families, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday and perform bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, overhead lifting, and other common physical movements required by the position.
Ability to assist with evacuation of residents during emergencies.
Ability to maintain supplies, equipment, and work areas and inspect food-service areas for sanitation, order, safety, and proper performance of duties.
Must meet facility health requirements, including medical and physical exams and checks of immunity status to various infectious diseases.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary; subject to emergency call-back.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Review menus before food preparation and prepare meals.
Work with the Dietitian/Director of Food Services as necessary and implement recommended changes.
Follow established food-service procedures and complete and submit required forms and reports.
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 meals that are appetizing and palatable, following standardized portion-control procedures.
Assist with serving meals on time and ensure resident meal trays include appropriate utensils and equipment.
Prepare bedtime snacks and serve substitute foods to residents who refuse the food served.
Assist with or direct daily cleaning duties in accordance with facility policies and procedures.
Assist with food preparation for special meals, parties, and other events.
Maintain adequate stock levels of staple and non-staple foods, supplies, and equipment; assist with inventorying and storing incoming items.
Keep food storage areas clean and properly arranged, maintain department equipment and supplies safely, and ensure food and supplies for the next meal are available.
Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director of Food Services.
Treat residents with dignity and respect, promote and protect residents’ rights, and protect confidential health information.
Follow facility policies, standards of conduct, applicable regulations, safety and hygiene requirements, and infection-control procedures; complete assigned training and competency requirements.
Report policy or regulatory noncompliance, confidentiality breaches, retaliation, discrimination, suspected abuse or mistreatment, occupational exposures, and work-related injuries or illnesses as required.
Participate in life-safety and emergency drills and training, fulfill assigned emergency-plan responsibilities, and assist with resident evacuation when needed.
Communicate with medical and nursing staff and other departments.