Senior Cook, MC Irvine- Culinary & Nutrition Services- FT Day Shift - University of California, Irvine

UCI Health is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine, and the only academic health system based in Orange County. UCI Health is comprised of its main campus, UCI Medical Center, a 459-bed, acute care hospital in in Orange, Calif., four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and ambulatory care centers across the region. Listed among America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years, UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County.

To learn more about UCI Health, visit www.ucihealth.org.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision of the Executive Chef, the Senior Cook is responsible for the conception and implementation of upscale, culturally diverse menus and recipes for patient care, retail operations and catering services. The Senior Cook also prepares, seasons and cooks (steaming, poaching, broiling, braising, etc.) food according to the recipes using basic ingredients, from scratch and some convenience items for patient meal service, Medical Center Cafeteria, and special catered functions, in a safe and sanitary manner. Other responsibilities include cost control, requisitioning and ensuring proper storage of food items, observance of all sanitation and safety procedures and adherence to all policies outlined by JCAHO, the University of California and the UC Medical Center.

Essential Job Functions:

The identification of essential functions below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned to this position, nor does it restrict the duties which may be assigned to this position if such duties reasonably relate to the position.

• Prepares assigned menu items following department recipes in accordance with departmental policies and procedures 10%
• Prepares all food in accordance with age appropriate guidelines, maintains an understanding of nutritional needs that vary by patient age, accurately follows recipes and specifications for regular and therapeutic diets, demonstrates a knowledge of therapeutic and normal nutrition. 15%
• Participates in coordinating production activities, assigning work and training of employees on proper food preparation technique. Exhibits expertise in all phases of food preparation and use of all kitchen equipment. Assumes a leadership role in the kitchen in organizing and direction of production staff for meal and catering services. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting quality assurance methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Normally receives minimal instruction on daily work assignments with general instruction provided on new and / or more complex assignments 10%
• Identifies and resolves a wide range of quality assurance issues in creative and imaginative ways 10%
• Cooks meals for patient meal service, cafeteria and catered events in a safe and sanitary manner according to departmental, Title 22, JCAHO and DHS regulations, appropriately communicates with Dietitian/Nursing staff on any questionable diet orders. 15%
• Complies with all HACCP rules, ensures correct food temperature at all times, appropriately tracking and recording temperature results daily, maintains accurate daily cleaning logs, follows proper food handling and storage techniques. 20%
• Accurately prepares, seasons, and cooks food according to the designated recipes, from scratch and some convenience items, ensures quality and presentation when observing food preparation, understands cooking weights and measures, to appropriately prepare and adjust recipes as needed. 20%

Total Compensation

We offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Verbal and written communication in the English language, active listening, dynamic flexibility, critical thinking, multi-task and time management
• Skill in various cooking techniques with the ability to follow recipes and specifications for regular and therapeutic diets
• Previous experience as a cook, or related experience in main kitchen and/or cafeteria
• Must demonstrate customer service skills appropriate to the job
• Must be able to work alternate schedules. days and nights, weekends and holidays
• Knowledge of common cooking terminology, mathematics and standard weights and measures to prepare and adjust recipes
• Ability to maintain a work pace appropriate to the workload
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across the Health System

Preferred Qualifications:

• Passing results from practical and written culinary exam
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of food and production
• Five years of experience in food preparations and maintenance of large kitchen, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Decision-making, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, operations analysis, and quality control analysis
• Basic computer application skills

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Legal Right to Work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page: https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact UCI's Employee Experience Center (EEC) at eec@uci.edu or at (949) 824-0500, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.