Cook

Effective Date: 09/27/2024
Reports To: Director of Dietary

Position type: Full or Part Time

Position Summary:
Working under the supervision of the Dietary Coordinator and/or the Consulting Dietitian, the Cook prepares, cooks food for meals and snacks for patients, guests, special events and Meals on Wheels. The Cook is also responsible to keep the kitchen and work area and utensils clean and sanitary.

General Responsibilities:
1. Reflects the hospital’s philosophy of excellence and professionalism while directly performing the job and at all times when representing the department or hospital.
2. Adheres to all applicable aspects of the hospital’s various policy and procedure manuals.
3. Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
4. Is internally inspired to perform to the best of one’s ability using his/her own drive or initiative.
5. Develops and maintains communication and social skills. Observes courtesy standards through use of verbal amenities, pleasant facial and body expressions and pleasant voice tone when in contact with co-workers, physicians, patients and visitors.
6. Communicates appropriately and clearly to physicians, staff and administrative team.
7. Promotes a positive attitude for good interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships. Shows consideration for and maintains good relations with others and is sensitive to the feelings of others.
8. Works effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
9. Interacts effectively with supervisors and peers in building a cohesive work group. Develops and maintains sound working relationships with others at various levels of the organization.
10. Skill in conflict resolution is demonstrated.
11. Maintains composure when confronted with job stress or emergency situations.
12. Adapts well to change in the work place.
13. Selects and prioritizes suitable alternative courses of action when confronted by an obstacle.
14. Consistent and concise lines of authority and responsibility are maintained.
15. Maintains confidentiality of patients, staff and department information at all times.
16. Takes care of the patient’s and family’s needs while following hospital procedures. Interacts professionally and empathetically with them.
17. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health errors.
18. Ensures that patient’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage a complaint are well established and maintained at all times.
19. Keeps abreast of the economic condition/situation and makes adjustments as directed/necessary to assure the continued ability to provide quality patient care.
20. Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual need of patients and their families.
21. Adheres to safety guidelines and reports hazards or accidents/illnesses immediately to supervisor.
22. Minimizes waste of supplies, misuse of equipment and reports any knowledge thereof to supervisor.
23. Participates effectively in the orientation of new staff.
24. Cross trains for other positions as directed by supervisor or administrator.
25. Functions in an organized manner and plans work assignments to effectively use time.
26. Attends all mandatory training and educational programs to maintain necessary competency including but not limited to licensure and/or certification.
27. Keeps unscheduled absences (sick leave and emergencies) to a minimum and always verifies need.
28. Is willing to work beyond normal schedule when necessary.
29. Maintains an overall neat and clean appearance. Selects conservative dress styles reflective of the job while adhering to the dress guidelines established by the department.
30. Responds objectively and positively to changes occurring in the hospital and health care.
31. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as necessary or as directed by the supervisor or Hospital Administrator.

Position Specific Responsibilities:
1. Follow therapeutic menu spread sheets.
2. Uses proper portion control utensils.
3. Prepares and serves patient meals in accordance with sanitary regulations.
4. Prepares and serves patient meals in accordance with the menus, portions and approved diet manual.
5. Prepares and delivers snacks and food/beverage stock daily as needed.
6. Prepares and maintains food at proper temperatures in accordance with state regulations.
7. Works with the facility's consulting Dietitian as necessary and implements recommended changes as required.
8. Meets nutritional needs of patients in accordance with a current diet manual, with physicians' orders, and to extent medically
    possible with the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council and National Academy of Sciences
    approved menus.
9. Records menu and diet changes.
10. Participates in the proper storage and labeling of food products.
11. Records dietary notes in the patient's medical record concerning dietary history.
12. Prepares special function meals.
13. Keeps all temperature logs up to date.
14. Performs dishwashing procedures. Assures utensils and cookware are available for the next meal.
15. Participates in daily and weekly cleaning duties.

Position Qualifications:
1. High school or GED preferred.
2. One or more years experience in related field preferred.
3. Must have mathematical ability and be able to think and reason logically.
4. Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

Physical Requirements:
1. Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.
2. Must possess sight/hearing/touch senses or the use of prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be met.
3. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
4. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
5. May be constantly required to push/pull, lift light objects less than 50 pounds.

Working Conditions:
1. Works in well lighted/ventilated areas.
2. May sit or stand for long periods.
3. Must be able to stoop, bend, lift and move intermittently during work hours.
4. Subject to frequent interruptions.
5. May be subjected to infectious diseases, substances, contaminated articles, etc.