Nightingale at Arkadelphia -

COOK

Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Functions

• Review menus prior to preparation of food.
• Inspect special diet trays to assure that the correct diet is served to the resident.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submit to the Director of Food Services.
• Coordinate dietary service with other departments as necessary.
• Work with the facility's dietitian as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
• Ensure that all dietary procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
• Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of Cook.
• Ensure that menus are maintained and filed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Assist in establishing food service production line, etc., to assure that meals are prepared on time.
• Process diet changes and new diets as received from Nursing Services.

Personnel Functions

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with inter-department personnel as well as with other departments within the facility to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals to the Director of Food Services.

Staff Development

• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
• Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., as directed.
• Attend and participate in annual HazCom, bloodborne pathogens, and TB in-service training programs.

Dietary Service

• Prepare meals in accordance with planned menus.
• Prepare and serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Prepare food for therapeutic diets in accordance with planned menus.
• Prepare food in accordance with standardized recipes and special diet orders.
• Prepare and serve bedtime snacks.
• Be sure that appropriate equipment and utensils are provided with the resident's meal tray.
• Review care plans to assure that current dietary information is consistent with foods served.
• Prepare and serve substitute foods to residents who refuse foods served.

Safety and Sanitation

• Prepare food in accordance with sanitary regulations as well as our established policies and procedures.
• Ensure that safety regulations and precautions are followed at all times by all personnel.
• Follow established Infection Control and Universal Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.
• Assist / direct daily or scheduled cleaning duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.
• Report all hazardous conditions / equipment to the Director of Food Services immediately.
• Report all accidents / incidents as established by department policies. Fill out and file reports as directed.
• Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.
• Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste and / or blood / body fluids.
• Report missing / illegible labels or MSDS's to the Director of Food Services.

Last updated : 2024-03-28