Cook / Dietary Aide

About the role

Works with the Dietary team to provide healthy, good-tasting meals and to support the dietary function in order to serve patients of the hospital. Prepares meals and side dishes to execute the daily menu, rotates through cooking duties and supporting dietary functions such as preparing meal items, side dishes, salads, desserts, and beverages/coffee for patients. Stocks the hospital with dietary items, snacks, beverages, and other supplies. Works as a team with other Cooks or Dietary Aides to prepare meals and plan for upcoming menus. Stocks items in the storeroom, walk-in refrigerator/freezer, and on inpatient units.

Responsibilities

• Follow menus and recipes as provided by the Food Service Manager and Dietitian.
• Prepare meals, side dishes, salads, and beverages according to the menu cycle, providing attention to attractive and tasteful meals.
• Accurately prepare food for modified diets, consulting with the Director or Dietitian as required.
• Complete and prepare meals in a timely manner as prescribed by posted meal times.
• Adhere to appropriate portion control and avoid overproduction.
• Provide leadership to other food service staff during shift.
• Open the kitchen and ensure organization of daily tasks to execute the menu.
• Comply with facility and departmental policies and procedures regarding food services offered.
• Follow posted cleaning schedule and ensure a clean work area and dining room at all times.
• Document refrigeration and dish machine temperatures.
• Adhere to standards for food temperatures during cooking, serving, and storage of leftovers.
• Maintain walk-in freezer and storerooms in an orderly fashion; properly date and label all food items.
• Comply with established guidelines for sanitation and safety.
• Interact with patients in the serving line, offering assistance in the selection of a nutritionally balanced meal.
• Support and encourage harmonious working relationships within the department and with all facility employees.
• Report any equipment malfunction immediately to the Food Service Director.
• Provide assistance with washing dishes and maintaining the dish room in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in one-to-one, staff meetings, and other settings.
• Produce accurate written communication (menus, reports, policies) and attend mandatory meetings.

Working conditions

• Duties require sitting, standing, walking, and reaching on a constant basis; some lifting up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis.
• Position involves both indoor and outdoor activities, on-site and off-site; works with others.
• Must stand 6–8 hours at a time, reach within 2–3 feet regularly, and lift/carry up to 50 lbs. frequently.
• Requires constant verbal communication.
• Requires reading written material and following directions closely.
• Requires discerning a variety of odors continuously.
• Hours may be irregular; duties variable.
• Exposed to hot and cold temperatures in kitchen and storage areas.
• May be subject to burns, cuts, falls, strains, and steam burns.
• Work area is wholly within the designated hospital area.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age and have completed some high school, preferably up to grade 12.
• In good mental health and physical condition; willing to work with psychiatric patients.
• Able to read and understand recipes in English.
• Able to read, write, and speak English.
• Able to expand or reduce recipe amounts.
• Able to work as part of the dietary team and function in the absence of the Director of Dietary.
• Demonstrates personal traits/behavior consistent with the values of Wyoming Behavioral Institute.
• Self-directed/self-motivated with good communication and interpersonal skills; flexible.
• Able to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature, without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Able to work independently.
• Recognizes the rights and responsibilities of patient confidentiality.
• Relates to others in a manner that creates a sense of teamwork and cooperation.
• Communicates effectively with people from every socioeconomic, cultural, and educational background.
• Exhibits flexibility and copes effectively in an ever-changing, fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Demonstrates the quality work ethic of doing the right thing the right way.
• Maintains a customer focus.