JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Dietary Cook

EXEMPT (Y/N): N                                                                    

SHIFT:               Day

DEPARTMENT: Dietary

REPORTS TO:    Dietary Supervisor

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Dietary Supervisor, the Cook will perform food preparation and cooking services in accordance with food safety regulations. The primary purpose of your job position is to prepare meals for a large number of nursing home residents according to prescribed physician’s orders while at all times maintaining a high standard of food preparation, sanitation, storage, and portion control. It is also your duty to operate in accordance with current and existing Federal, State, and Local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures to ensure that quality food service is provided at all times.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Performs food preparation and cooking duties in accordance with sanitary regulations, as well as our established policies and procedures.
2. Reviews menus prior to preparation of food.
3. Inspects special diet trays to assure that the correct diet is served to the resident.
4. Works with the facility’s dietician as necessary and implements recommended changes as required.
5. Develops and maintains a good working rapport with department personnel, as well as other departments within the facility, to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patients.
6. Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
7. Meets with Dietary Supervisor in reviewing cycle menu, food production sheets, standardized recipes, and therapeutic diet orders in preparing and serving the specified quantities of food.
8. Assists in inventorying and storing in-coming food, supplies, etc., as necessary and calling in orders to vendors.
9. Assists in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranges manner at all times.
10. Ensures that menus are maintained and filed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
11. Operates and maintains all cooking equipment as needed.
12. Follows cycle menu and coordinates food preparation with time schedules of meal service. 
13. Prepares food in accordance with food safety guidelines.
14. Coordinates duties and responsibilities with time schedules of meal services.
15. Samples and smells prepared food to determine quality and palatability.
16. Follows established safety standards and infection control procedures.
17. Determines amount and type of food and supplies required for daily menus.
18. Keeps work area clean and orderly by assisting in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
19. In the absence of the Dietary Manager, checks and inspects delivered food products and supplies.
20. Notifies Dietary Supervisor of food, supplies, or equipment needs.
21. Reports equipment breakdowns and unsafe conditions.
22. Reports missing/illegible labels or MSDSs to the Dietary Supervisor.
23. Attends in-service educational programs.
24. Understands facility’s fire and disaster plans; follows established procedures during drills and actual emergencies.
25. Performs other department duties assigned by the Dietary Supervisor.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to fulfill each essential duty with a strong degree of professionalism.  This position requires a detail-oriented professional with excellent communication skills. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

·      Must minimally possess a High School diploma. 

·      One to Two years of experience cooking for a large number of people in a fast-paced environment, preferably healthcare field.

·      Knowledge of therapeutic diets for nursing home residents preferred.

·      Able to lift 25 lbs.

LANGUAGE/REASONING AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

·      Must possess ability to speak, read and write English effectively.

·      Must possess emotional maturity, reliability, tact, integrity, and good judgment.

·      Must possess an understanding of facility’s goals and philosophy.

·      Must possess good problem solving skills with ability to plan, organize, and execute work activities independently.

·      Must possess ability to interact effectively with team members, residents, families and visitors.

·      Must possess knowledge of accreditation and licensing standards as they apply to resident care and safety.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The demands and environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job, Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

·            The physical demands and work environment described herein is representative of those that generally must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·            Work primarily involves standing, walking, twisting, reaching, bending/stooping, as it relates to standard office activity. 

·            Vision abilities required by this job includes good vision and depth perception, both near and far as well as ability to distinguish basic shades and colors. 

·            The noise level in the facility work environment is usually moderately quiet; however, at times, due to the nature of clients treated at this facility, occasional loud outbursts by residents may be expected.

·            The employee is required to hear within normal range and at a conversation level.

·            The employee is required to have the ability to express or exchange ideas frequently and the ability to understand communication of others with or without adaptive devices.

·            This position requires performing simple repetitive tasks regularly and performing complex or varied tasks often.

·            This position requires that employee have the ability to make generalizations, evaluations or decisions using independent judgment without immediate supervision.

·            This position requires the employee to work minimally 8 hours per day, five days per week.  Additional hours and days may be necessary to ensure adequate operations of the facility. 

·            This position may require the use of a computer for up to 4-6 hours per day.