Cook

About the role

This position serves as a Cook within the Nutrition and Food Services of the American Lake VA Medical Center, Tacoma, WA. The primary purpose of the Cook, WG-4, is to prepare nutritious, high quality meals for service to the Veterans.

Responsibilities

• Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets
• Cleans and sanitizes work areas, and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed
• Makes precise measurements and weights in preparing recipes and portioning food
• Prepares and heats convenience items such as frozen hash browns, fish fillets, and chicken nuggets
• Uses simple arithmetic, such as multiplying and dividing ingredients in a recipe when preparing food items for the correct serving amounts
• Prepares fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables
• Follows menus, production sheets and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed
• Covers, dates, and stores food leftovers according to established local policies/procedures
• Operates a variety of kitchen equipment
• Disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning
• Operates industrial dish washing machine
• Maintains proper spacing of food products from floor, ceiling, and shelving to ensure adequate air flow and spacing of products for optimal food safety
• Prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners
• Washes, peels, and cuts fruits and vegetables
• Follows appropriate safety procedures in operating a variety of kitchen equipment
• Follows sanitary food handling procedures
• Applies knowledge of sanitation principles to safeguard food against spoilage and waste

Requirements

• Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs unassisted and occasionally lifts or moves objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance of a lifting device or other workers
• Manipulates cumbersome, heavy objects, such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls, pushing heavy carts on casters or operating heavy equipment
• Possess manual dexterity to operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades safely
• Utilizes eye-hand coordination and the ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment

Benefits

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Pay

Various shifts available. To be discussed during interview.

Schedule

Variety of shifts available.