FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL COOK

Ridgeview and Ridgewood Health Services are 148 and 98 bed facilities respectively, which offer both short and long-term care for our residents. Support services are tailored to meet the individual needs of our residents and strive to improve the quality of life of each resident.

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Prepares food in accordance with current applicable federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, with our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Head Cook and/or Director of Food and Nutritional Services/Supervisor of Food and Nutritional Services, to assure that quality of nutritional services is provided at all times.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, season, cook and serve for assigned meal/therapeutic diets in accordance with standardized recipes, special diet orders and planned menus.
• Prepare and serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Prepare meals in accordance with established portion control standards.
• Prepare nutritional snacks/bedtime snacks for clients as directed by the Head Cook.
• Assist in food production line, etc. to assure that meals are prepared on time.
• Process diet changes and new diets as received from nursing service.
• Monitor temperature of hot and cold foods through food preparation and service to ensure that established temperature goals are met prior to steam table transfer and maintained throughout meal service.
• Provide appropriate equipment and utensils on residents' trays.
• Review care plans to assure that current food information is consistent with food served.
• Clean equipment and work areas as assigned by the Director/Supervisor.
• Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.
• Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensure that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
• Assist in inventorying and storage on in-coming food, supplies, etc. as necessary.
• Be knowledgeable of Federal, State, and facility's rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Follow established Infection Control Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.
• Follow defined safety codes while performing all duties.
• Know and understand Exposure Control plan.
• Understand facility's fire and disaster plans; follow established procedures during drills and actual emergencies.
• Follows code of ethics in procurement, handling of confidential information and personal conduct. Maintain the confidentiality of all resident information included protected health care information.
• Participates in continuing education, relevant to Job Description and LTC, to ensure skills and abilities are maintained and enhanced:
• Supports the continuous quality assurance / performance improvement initiatives of the department by providing constructive ideas and solutions to identified problems and challenges.
• Attend trainings to build understanding and capacity to undertake QAPI work.
• Carry out QAPI role as assigned.
• Support QAPI efforts both verbally and non-verbally (i.e., via actions and attitude) including adjusting performance and practice in accordance with QAPI initiatives and findings.
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE JOB

Education:

• Graduate of accredited high school or equivalent.

Experience:

• Experience in a health care dietary setting is desired.
• Have general knowledge of quantity food preparation and portioned serving.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Numerical ability necessary to make various computations in keeping work records, and in recipe preparation.
• Motor coordination and manual dexterity are required to prepare food and operate dietary equipment.
• Willingness to perform routine, repetitive tasks with frequent interruptions. An appreciation of the value of food and dietary equipment and an awareness of the requirement for careful handling and economy of serving.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow recipe directions, diet orders and work assignments. Able and willing to work flexible hours, such as during an emergency situation. Must be patient and tolerant toward staff, residents, and family members.
• Organizational skills
• Thoroughness
• Time Management
• Positive team-building approach to problem solving.
• Positive customer service skills.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal for interaction with customers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in office area as well as throughout the facility
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the facility, which include a medical and physical exam.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disable, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the you will be regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.