What are the responsibilities and job description for the Healthcare Dietary Cook position at KVC Kansas Health System?
Healthcare Dietary Cook - Niles
KVC Missouri | Kansas City
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday, 10-hour shifts. Additional optional scheduling may be available.
KVC Missouri is seeking a dependable, compassionate, and service-oriented Healthcare Dietary Cook to join our Niles team. This role is responsible for preparing nutritious, high-quality meals in a structured healthcare and residential environment serving children and youth.
Our Dietary Services team plays an essential role in creating a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. The ideal candidate brings experience in high-volume or institutional food service and understands the importance of consistency, sanitation, teamwork, and reliability in a healthcare setting.
This is not a fast-food environment. We are looking for professionals who take pride in preparing meals that support health, comfort, and daily stability for the individuals we serve.
Essential Responsibilities
- Prepare and serve nutritious meals in accordance with standardized recipes, nutrition guidelines, portion standards, and food safety regulations
- Perform food preparation, batch cooking, baking, and meal production in a commercial kitchen environment
- Follow DESE nutrition standards, ServSafe practices, sanitation procedures, and infection-control expectations
- Maintain meal quality, timing, temperature logs, and kitchen cleanliness standards
- Assist with menu preparation, inventory management, receiving deliveries, and stock rotation
- Support meal service operations for residents, staff, and special events as needed
- Maintain accurate food storage, labeling, and sanitation documentation
- Work collaboratively with residential, nursing, and operations staff to support a positive dining experience
- Ensure dependable attendance and punctuality to support uninterrupted meal service operations
- Maintain a calm, professional demeanor in a fast-paced healthcare and residential setting
What We're Looking For
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Minimum 1 year of experience in food service, commercial kitchens, cafeteria, healthcare dietary, school nutrition, senior living, or other institutional cooking environments preferred
- Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, residential treatment, high-volume meal production, or working with children and adolescents is preferred
- ServSafe Certification preferred (or willingness to obtain within designated timeframe)
- Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment, follow food safety and sanitation standards, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds
- Dependable attendance, reliable transportation, and a strong work ethic required
- Successful candidates are team-oriented, respectful, detail-focused, and comfortable working in a structured healthcare environment while following standardized recipes and production expectations
- We're looking for compassionate professionals who understand the important role food service plays in supporting health, comfort, and wellbeing
Schedule Expectations
- Flexible scheduling may be available based on operational needs
- Weekend, holiday, and rotating shift availability may be required
- Consistent attendance is essential to maintaining quality meal service for our residents and patients
Benefits & Perks
- Competitive Pay
- Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
- Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement up to $21,000
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Career Growth and Professional Development Opportunities
About KVC Missouri
KVC Missouri is part of KVC Health Systems, a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and improving the lives of children and youth.
Our Webster Groves team is committed to creating a supportive, therapeutic environment where every individual feels safe, respected, and cared for. Dietary Services is a vital part of that mission.
Our culture of compassion, teamwork, and employee support has earned KVC an 83 Work Wellbeing Score on Indeed, placing us among the top 1% of employers nationwide.
If you are looking for meaningful work in a stable, team-oriented healthcare environment where your contributions truly matter, we encourage you to apply.