Nutrition Services Cook

Our Mission: To improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve demonstrating compassionate, patient-centered care.

Summary

The Hospital Cook is responsible for proper preparation of food served to patients using principles of good nutrition and limitations of diet order; employees and visitors, including three daily meals and special functions. Duties include all activities required for preparing, serving, and delivery/retrieval of resident trays. Responsible for basic cooking tasks, sanitation of kitchen area and equipment, and to prepare food in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and in accordance with established dietary policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This description intends to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Follows provider dietary orders and menus prepared by the Certified Dietary Manager.
• Prepares and portions food for patients, employees, visitors, and special functions.
• Prepares baked goods and desserts.
• Checks patient trays for dietary order accuracy.
• Collects patient trays after meal services.
• Follows standards of quality food handling with proper sanitation standards.
• Ensures program adheres to all federal, state, and local requirements.
• Follows all HIPAA guidelines and promotes and ensures patient safety.
• Fulfills mission statement by performing job duties with a high level of customer service while contributing to a positive and professional environment.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Experience in a hospital-based or assisted living nutrition department preferred. Must have completed safe food handling training or willing to complete it within 3 months of being hired.

Licensure/Certification

Basic Life Support (CPR)

Additional Requirements

Due to the nature of the job, must be 18 years of age or older.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak effectively with patients, visitors, and employees.

Physical Demands

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.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the hospital kitchen, dining room and patient rooms is usually moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Cozad Community Health System is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified employees from the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Equal employment opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at Cozad Community Health System, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination and retaliation because of veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, national origin or ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), or any other protected characteristic as established by applicable local, state, or federal law.