Cooks

Symphony of Tri-Cities•Frankenlust Township, MI

About The Position

The Cook works in the Dietary department and reports to the Food Service Director. The role prepares nourishing, appealing meals for residents, employees, and visitors while maintaining sanitary conditions and following established policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. The Cook helps keep the dietary department clean, safe, and sanitary and provides general shift supervision to dietary aides. The Cook plans and prepares meals, accommodates special events and dietary needs, coordinates with the facility’s Registered Dietitian, monitors food supplies, and oversees the tray line. The role also ensures appropriate food storage, labeling, sanitation, and equipment care; helps hire, orient, and train food service staff; and communicates resident concerns and operational or safety issues to the appropriate people. The Cook may respond to call lights when working in resident care areas and must be able to work with residents with cognitive, behavioral, or physical impairments and in potentially stressful or emergency situations.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to prepare and ensure service of nutritional meals at proper times and temperatures while preserving flavor and appearance.
Ability to read, write, and follow written and oral instructions, including calculations.
Knowledge of attractive food service, sanitation, and safety.
Ability to work nights and weekends to accommodate residents’ needs.
Ability to tolerate potential exposure to blood, body tissues, and fluids, with occasional exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases.
Manual dexterity required to operate modern office and kitchen equipment.
Ability to work with residents who may have cognitive, behavioral, or physical impairments.
Ability to work in potentially stressful or emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

Food Sanitation Certification preferred.
One year of experience as a Cook preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare and provide flavorful, attractive, nourishing meals to residents, staff, and visitors at the proper temperature, and record temperatures as required by federal and state regulations.
Prepare meals for special events as needed.
Plan meals sufficiently in advance to minimize food substitutions.
Work with the facility’s Registered Dietitian to ensure meals meet residents’ nutritional needs; make meal-plan changes with approval from the Food Services Director or Registered Dietitian.
Ensure food supplies are appropriate and place orders when necessary.
Oversee the food tray line to ensure trays meet dietary needs and orders and are prepared efficiently for scheduled meal and snack times.
Provide general shift oversight to dietary aides, make on-the-spot corrections as appropriate, and report performance or operational concerns to the Food Service Director.
Ensure food and drinks are labeled and dated according to state and federal regulations.
Put stock away using the First In First Out method.
Ensure food is properly stored, labeled, and dated; remove expired or damaged items and ensure delegated tasks are completed properly.
Ensure equipment, dishes, tables, meal carts, and other items are cleaned and sanitized correctly, including delegated cleaning tasks.
Assist with hiring, orientation, and training of food service staff.
Ensure sanitation policies and procedures are followed in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Follow safety precautions when performing tasks and using equipment and supplies; keep the work area clean and free of hazards.
Ensure equipment, tools, and supplies are properly stored.
Communicate and interact effectively and tactfully with residents, visitors, families, peers, and supervisors.
Report hazardous conditions, damaged equipment, and supply issues to the supervisor.
Attend staff meetings and in-service and education programs as requested, including continuing education required to maintain professional certification or licensure.
Respond promptly and courteously to call lights when working in resident care areas.
Report resident concerns to the appropriate department head.
Perform job duties in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and facility policies and procedures.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and perform other tasks as required.