Dietary Cook (Full Time)

Clarke County Hospital • Osceola, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs a wide variety of task and operations to prepare and cook foods for patients, employees and guests as directed following established sanitation, safety, and dietary procedures. This includes reviewing menus, assembling food and supplies, preparing equipment, following standardized recipes, and maintaining quality and nutritional standards. The role also involves documenting substitutions, preparing and cooking entrees, performing various food preparation tasks, planning cooking schedules, accurately recording meals served, monitoring food and equipment temperatures, delegating tasks to support staff, receiving and storing deliveries, assisting with prep lists and stocking, and documenting food safety items. Additionally, the position is responsible for cleaning work areas, performing general cleaning in the kitchen and dining areas, serving patients and guests, conferring with patients about food preferences, assisting with department facilities and supplies, and reporting any issues to management. The role also includes completing monthly cleaning duties and assisting with monthly inventory counts.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Training in institutional food preparation or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and skills.
• Minimum of 1 year of previous experience in a long-term care or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of cooking methods and procedures, including various types of preparation and related routines.
• Familiarity with kitchen equipment.
• Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.
• ServSafe certified OR the ability to become ServSafe certified within 1st year of employment.
• High Attention to Detail.
• Communication Skills.
• Problem solving.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, DIA, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.
• Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.
• Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Nice To Haves

• Related field or equivalent work experience in cooking.
• Previous work experience in food preparation, modified diets and related routines.

Responsibilities

• Review menu and assemble foods, supplies, and equipment for daily food preparation.
• Set up and prepare equipment for use in food preparation.
• Follow standardized recipes and maintain established policies and procedures for food preparation.
• Document and receive approval from Registered/Licensed Dietitian when utilizing substitutions for patient menus.
• Prepare and cook all entrees as menued.
• Perform tasks such as cut and trim meat, fish and poultry; spice and season as required by recipe; cook, bake etc. In appropriate utensil and/or cooking equipment; carve, slice or otherwise portion cooked foods to assure effective portion control and optimum utilization of food stuff.
• Plan cooking schedule to have food ready at specified meal times while minimizing hold times for quality.
• Accurately record meals served and monitor temperatures of food while utilizing the appropriate logs.
• Monitor and record temperatures in refrigerators and freezers while utilizing the appropriate logs.
• Delegate tasks to Prep Cooks/Dietary Aides as approved by the Integrated Services Director/Dietary Supervisor.
• Accept, receive and put away food/beverage deliveries.
• Assist with prep list, grab and go, and stocking the café and galley.
• Document thermometer calibration on weekly logs and other food safety items appropriately.
• Responsible for cleaning own work area at specified meal times.
• Perform general cleaning working in the kitchen and dining area.
• Serve patients, personnel and guests.
• Confer with patients in order to understand their food likes and dislikes.
• Assist in the care and maintenance of department facilities, equipment and supplies as directed.
• Perform other duties as directed.
• Report any issues or problems that may arise to the Integrated Services Director/Dietary Supervisor.
• Complete cleaning duties as assigned on monthly cleaning list.
• Assist with the counting of monthly inventory.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED