Cook at Los Alamos Assisted Living

Non-Exempt
Responsible for preparing and serving meals according to the menu, monitoring methods of food handling, preparation, meal
service, and equipment cleaning. Safely and efficiently provides nutritionally appropriate food to residents for the purpose of
mainting and enhancing their overall health. Ensures the provision of quality food service and nutrition care in accordance to
Federal, State and Local regulations.
Principal Responsibilities
Prepares meal items according to planned menus and standardized recipes; refers to supervisor or dietitian the need
for menu changes.
Reviews menus, resident census information, production guides and pre-prep sheets to determine type and quantities
of food to be prepared.
Prepares food according to safe food handling guidelines per company policy and procedure and state and federal
codes and regulations;
Assists with food ordering, storage and preparation as designated by the supervisor; Prepares food in a timely manner
to preserve food quality and serve meal on time.
Maintains standards for food preparation and quality of food service; uses nutritionally equivalent substitutes when
required; Follows standardized recipes.
Operates a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment such as blenders, mixer, food slicer, steamer, food processor,
convention oven, range and tilt skillet; Bakes, roasts, broils, and steams food items to prepare for consumption
Prepares consistency modified and diet foods appropriately; Prepares and assists with special function meals.
Completes pre-preparation as needed or assigned including washing, peeling and cutting vegetables and fruits to
prepare for use; Slices meat and measures or weighs for menu compliance and nutrition accuracy.
Prepares and serves food attractively using gravies, sauces and garnishes as on menu; Tests and observes food by
tasting for palatability.
Monitors and records food temperatures prior to meal service.
Makes and records menu changes under the direction of the supervisor; Uses nutrition equivalent substitutes when
required and refers to supervisor or registered dietitian for approval.
Uses proper hand washing techniques; Thaws foods appropriately; Stores food using correct packaging and labeling;
Uses gloves appropriately and changes when required; Checks refrigerators and freezers for correct temperatures.
Follows the cleaning schedule; Cleans the equipment and work area after each use; Sweeps and mops kitchen floors
when assigned; Takes trash to dumpster if assigned; Washes pots and pans when assigned.
Assumes responsibility for meeting meal schedules.
In the absence of the Dietary Manager, Dietary Aide is accountable to the Cook.
Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without notice.
Nutrition Service Responsibilities
Dietary services must be provided to residents according to their individual needs, as determined by assessments and
care plans.
Maintains and uses eKardex, the electronic system for resident food, nutrition and dining information, tray card and
nourishment label printing.
Utilizes Point Click Care and other center electronic systems appropriately.
Maintains standards for food preparation and quality of food service.
Carries out responsibility for ordering, delivery, storage, including labeling, and appropriate utilization of food
supplies.
Monitors portion control and food waste, sanitation, and safety of food preparation.
Ensures meals are timely and accurate according to physician orders and resident food preferences.
Tests food to determine if properly cooked, palatable, and at correct temperatures to meet resident needs.
Uses standard precautions as outlined in the Infection Control Manual Practice Guidelines
Meal Service Responsibilities
Dietary services must be provided to residents according to their individual needs, as determined by assessments and
care plans.
Promotes customer service and resident enjoyment of meals and dining.
Advocates for resident to honor their choices in food and dining.
Coordinates dining room service and meals served in resident rooms.
Performs quality audits of meals and tray lines to ensure attractive, palatable foods are served at the correct
temperatures.
Adheres to standards for tableware ensuring quality is maintained.
Assures assistive devices and special eating equipment and utensils are provided to residents as needed. Makes meal
rounds to observe meal service and solicit resident input concerning food and dining.
Food Safety Responsibilities
Follows food safety and sanitation guidelines per company policy and procedure and state and federal codes and
regulations.
Performs regular audits of dietary services to ensure safe food handling.
Follows guidelines for when employees cannot work in food production due to illness.
Develops and ensures adherence to cleaning schedules and other tools needed to maintain sanitation and cleanliness
of the kitchen and other areas where food is stored or served.
General Responsibilities
Attends and participates in scheduled training, educational classes, and meetings to maintain current certification as
applicable; Attends and participates in in-service training as mandated by regulatory agencies and company policy.
Adheres to work schedules in completing and performing assigned tasks; completes all assigned tasks in a timely
manner as instructed by the direct supervisor.
Meets acceptable center attendance requirements; notifies facility before late arrival to or absence from work
according to established center policy.
Cooperates with other facility personnel to ensure that services can be adequately maintained to meet the needs of
residents; creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm
environment.
Adheres to established employee policies.
Adheres to established dress code.
Customer Service Responsibilities
Models customer service principals throughout the center and promotes appreciation of our customers needs.
Treats residents, residents family members, visitors and fellow employees with courtesy, respect, and dignity.
Presents professional image through appearance, behavior and speech.
Explains procedures to residents before administering services.
Residents Rights
Understands, upholds and promotes the rights of the residents.
Ensures residents can exercise rights without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from the facility.
Ensures protected health information is kept confidential.
Ensures resident concerns/complaints are responded to with tact and urgency.
Reports allegations of resident abuse, neglect and/or misappropriation of resident property.
Coordinates effective communication with Residents and Companions by assuring all arrangements for providing
interpreters and/or other auxiliary aids and services needed by Residents and Responsible Party are made.
Safety and Sanitation
Reports observations concerning structural, equipment, and furniture defects and malfunctioning to appropriate
personnel.
Follows established safety policies and procedures.
Identifies and corrects safety hazards; reports safety concerns as required.
Observes safety needs of residents as indicated in care plan.
Wears and/or uses safety equipment and supplies when indicated and properly trained to use.
Demonstrates job-specific knowledge of fire and disaster preparedness during drills or actual situations.
Staff Development
Attends and participates in scheduled in-service training, educational classes and meetings to maintain current
certification as applicable and as managed by regulatory agencies and company policies.
Ensures that small group meetings are held per company policy.
Communicates new Policy & Procedures and regulations to staff to ensure compliance.
Qualifications
Highschool diploma or equivalency preferred.
Two years as cook in a large-scale cooking operation, preferred.
One years work experience in long term care preferred.
Travel
Minimal travel for center supplies and materials.
Principal Contacts
Works closely with dietary staff, residents, families and other facility personnel.