JOB SUMMARY:

Prepares nutritional food for hospital patients, employees, and visitors. Suggests menu items and assists in the requisition of food and supplies. Operates and maintains kitchen equipment. Maintains the cleanliness of utensils and equipment in the kitchen and foodservice areas daily. Additionally any other job duties as required or assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: High School graduate or equivalent preferred
• Personal Job Related Skills: Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to read and write
• Licensure, Registry or Certification: Texas Food Handlers Certificate required but can be obtained within 60 days of hire date.

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE:

• One year of previous institutional food preparation preferred.

Technical Training:

• None required

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: Duties of this position require:

• Extended periods of walking and standing
• Bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching for food items and equipment. Pushing and pulling cart and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• The ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal instructions and directions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that 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. 

TASKS

• Promotes the mission, vision, and values of Muenster Hospital District.
• Maintains HIPAA required and all other confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.
• Follows safety guidelines and all policies and procedures of MHD.
• Prepares, seasons, and cooks food for patients, employees and visitors.
• Reviews menus to determine types and quantities of food to be prepared.
• Plans cooking schedule so that food will be ready at specified times.
• Prepares food as stipulated in standardized recipes.
• Prepares food for patients on therapeutic diets.
• Prepares food for meetings and special functions of the hospital.
• Proportions food for patient meals
• Assembles patient trays on the tray line.
• Reads production orders on color coded menus and menu cards on tray to determine items to place on tray.
• Prepares patient tray according to diet orders.
• Prepares food items such as sandwiches, salads, soups, and beverages.
• Places servings in blender or food processor to make foods for mechanical soft, purred, or liquid diets.
• Take and record temperatures of all foods being served.
• Apportions and places food servings on plates and trays according to diet list on menu card.
• Examines filled tray for completeness on cart.
• Deliver tray cart to nurse’s station.
• Assist with the preparation of trays or nourishments not assembled on the tray line.
• Stocks dining room with dishes, utensils, and or other dining supplies.
• Recommends menu items and food stuffs to be purchased.
• Operates stoves, steam pots, ovens, and other kitchen equipment.
• Cleans cooking equipment and maintains high sanitary standards in the kitchen.
• Advises Dietary Manager of equipment requirements and needed maintenance.
• Washes pots, pans, dishes, and utensils.
• Washes dishes and cleans work area, tables, cabinets, and ovens.
• Collects and places garbage and trash in designated containers.
• Sweeps, mops, and overall cleaning of the kitchen and cafeteria.
• Records temperatures for food and equipment daily and report any problems to Dietary Manager immediately.
• Maintains cleanliness of storerooms and dishwashing room.
• Maintains HIPPA required and all other confidentiality while working with confidential matters on a daily basis.
• Follows safety guidelines and all policies and procedures of MMH.
• Signs off on all daily and weekly cleaning schedules.
• Enter and maintain personal time in time clock system
• Descale dish machine weekly.
• Stock and maintain Temperatures and cleanliness of patient refrigerators at nurse’s station.
• Follow MMH’s dress code for the dietary department.