1st shift Cook

Cheraw Healthcare•Cheraw, SC

About The Position

The Cook prepares food in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, as well as established policies and procedures and directions from the department supervisor. The position’s primary purpose is to ensure quality food is provided at all times. The Cook reports to the Dietary Services Supervisor and has no positions reporting to them. The role prepares and cooks food according to menus and standardized recipes, follows diet specifications and portion-control procedures, and helps ensure meals are appetizing and served according to the posted tray delivery schedule. The Cook also manages tray-line production, stores and labels leftovers appropriately, responds to residents’ requests for alternate items, and ensures the nursing department receives dietary items for nourishment passes accurately and on time. The position also involves protecting resident rights, maintaining confidentiality, following safety and abuse-prevention procedures, participating in required meetings, training, drills, and quality-improvement activities, and providing courteous communication and cooperation. The Cook is expected to report to work as scheduled, maintain a clean and professional appearance, and work overtime only when authorized.

Requirements

Minimum 8th-grade education or equivalent.
Knowledge of basic dietary principles and diets.
One year of food-preparation experience based on recipes.
Ability to read, write, and understand English.
Ability to perform simple calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Good organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Effective time management and ability to meet meal-preparation and serving timelines.
Good interpersonal relationships.
Good leadership skills and ability to lead and direct others.
Ability to adequately perform the physical requirements of the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a hospital setting and knowledge of special diets.
Experience with quantity food preparation.

Responsibilities

Review menus before food preparation.
Prepare and cook food according to menu directions and standardized recipes.
Prepare and cook food safely, efficiently, and sanitarily.
Serve meals according to diet specifications and established portion-control procedures.
Prepare and serve appetizing meals and ensure meals are served on time according to the posted tray delivery schedule.
Manage tray-line production.
Store leftover food in appropriate containers and label it appropriately.
Respond promptly to residents’ requests for alternate items at mealtime.
Ensure the nursing department receives necessary dietary items for nourishment passes accurately and on time.
Promote and protect resident rights and comply with abuse-prevention and reporting policies and procedures.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and maintain confidentiality of resident-care and employee issues.
Use the chain of command to communicate problems or grievances.
Participate in staff meetings and mandatory in-service training as required.
Attend work as scheduled, notify the supervisor of an absence before the shift starts, and adhere to scheduled arrival, departure, break, and lunch times.
Work overtime only when authorized; demonstrate initiative and accept increased responsibility.
Maintain a clean and professional appearance in dress and grooming.
Answer, place, and transfer telephone calls courteously; identify oneself by name and location; communicate clearly and accurately; and follow up as appropriate to ensure messages are understood.
Cooperate with others inside and outside the department, offer assistance when needed, and demonstrate active listening.
Use proper procedures for handling contaminated items and proper body mechanics to support resident and staff safety.
Participate in fire and disaster drills and safety in-service; comply with the facility safety program and promote a safe environment for residents, visitors, and staff.
Apply Quality Assurance program principles in departmental operations and support and participate in facility and departmental QAA/CQI activities.