Cook

Purpose of this position

The purpose of this position is to prepare and provide food service to residents in a cost-effective, efficient manner to safely meet residents' needs in compliance with federal, state and local requirements.

Qualifications

• Must have current license. (if applicable)
• License must be free of any encumbrances. (if applicable)
• Must not have any disqualifying findings barring employment as stated by State or Federal regulations.

Delegation of authority

• Prepare residents' diets in accordance with diet orders and daily menus.
• Assist the food service supervisor to determine the amount and type of food necessary to prepare the daily menus.
• Monitor use of food to eliminate waste.
• Follow posted menus for food preparation.
• Stock food in compliance with dietary policies and procedures.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

• Handle and prepare food in a sanitary manner.
• Prepare food which is palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Keep work area clean and sanitize work surfaces after food preparation.
• Follow written menus and recipes.
• Understand and be able to prepare therapeutic diets.
• Be responsible for avoiding food waste.
• Assume responsibility for meeting meal schedules.
• Be responsible for care of food service equipment.
• Work cooperatively with food service staff and other departments.
• Come to work as scheduled and consistently demonstrate dependability and punctuality.
• Attend in-service training programs for food service employees.
• Perform other related duties as directed by his/her supervisor.
• Perform all duties assigned in an effective, timely and professional manner.
• Observe infection control procedures.
• Follow Residents' Rights policies at all times.
• Observe all facility policies and procedures.
• Assume Quality Assurance duties as assigned.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner.
• Assume accountability for all data contained in the employees' handbook.
• Come to work in neat, clean attire and consistently present an appropriate professional appearance.
• Come to work as scheduled and consistently demonstrate dependability and punctuality.
• Consistently work cooperatively with residents, residents' representatives, facility staff, physicians, consultants and ancillary service providers.
• Inspect special diet trays to assure that the correct diet is served to residents.
• Ensure that menus are maintained and filed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Agree not to disclose assigned user I.D. code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report any known or suspected unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of such information to supervisor.
• Prepare and serve bedtime snacks.
• Prepare and serve substitute foods to residents who refuse foods served.