Cook

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Cook is responsible for the preparation, production, and presentation of daily food items while ensuring high standards of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. This includes following standardized recipes, proper portion control, and adherence to SERV Safe and sanitation guidelines. Ensures timely availability of food, uses proper labeling and storage methods, and minimizes waste through effective use of leftovers and FIFO procedures. Maintains cleanliness and organization of the work area throughout the day, completes the required sanitation tasks, and complies with all food safety regulations. Participates in ongoing training and maintains necessary certifications to support a safe, efficient, and customer-focused food service environment.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Responsible for daily food production, service and customer satisfaction through proper food handling procedures, guidelines and portion control.
• Prepares, sets up and monitors daily food production following standardized recipes and techniques.
• Assures FIFO method is uses when preparing daily items.
• Prepares all food items within SERV Safe guidelines.
• Makes sure food is available when needed.
• Sets up menu items, appropriate garnishes. Monitors the quality and flavor of all food items being served.
• During food handling, wraps, labels, dates and use by dates all food items.
• Uses leftovers in a timely manner.
• Strives to be fiscally responsible by keeping waste to a minimum.
• Takes temperatures of food items and proper utilizes prep and pull sheets and production sheets.
• Completes prep for the following days according to special function worksheets, production sheets and prep and pulls.
• Ensures menu items / plate presentation meets established standards.
• Maintains psychical and mental stamina during peak mealtimes.
• Responsible for sanitation of work areas.
• Completes daily sanitation to meet established standards according to sanitation checklists.
• Assures compliance with all food and safety standards.
• Keeps work area organized and cleans through the day.
• Follows glove and hairnet policy.
• Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Ability to function in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable and agile working with technology; Proficient in MS Office and other applications.

Core Values:

• AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.
• COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.
• COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.
• INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.
• RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.
• TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

The Highlands' Traditions (Customer Service Expectations):

• SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.
• KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
• SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in "character" and performs the "role in the show." Ensures work area is show-ready.
• EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This position may be full-time or part-time in a health care facility that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rotating shifts as well as weekend, holiday and work during inclement weather will be required.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school Diploma or GED (Required)
• Vocational / Technical Degree: Culinary training (Preferred)
• 1-3 years' experience in cooking (Required)
• Prior experience working with senior population (preferred)
• SERV Safe Certification (Preferred)
• Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment (Required)

Work Authorization/Security Clearances:

• Medical Screening
• Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)
• Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Visual acuity must be adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens.
• This position is continuously required to walk, climb crouch, reach above shoulder, lift from waist level up, lift above shoulders/head, and lifting 25 lbs.
• This position is occasionally required to sit, bend, squat, crawl, kneel, balance, pull with force, push/push up to 350 lbs., lift from floor level up, lift 50 lbs. and lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens
• May be exposed to communicable diseases
• May be exposed to potential electrical shock
• May be exposed to extreme conditions, (i.e. heat or cold)
• May be exposed to high noise levels
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts
• May be exposed to toxic, caustic, chemicals, and / or detergents
• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.