Food Service Cook

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals, and Lexington Medical Center—a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare and first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for nursing excellence, Lexington Health delivers over 4,000 babies annually, performs more than 34,000 surgeries, and is the region’s third-largest employer. The network also includes an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state’s first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer’s care center.

About the role

The Food Service Cook is a fast-paced, hands-on position responsible for preparing food items throughout the hospital. This role follows recipes to prepare meals for patients, cafeteria, retail operations, catered functions, or the Child Development Center in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food based on specific directions, including modified diet restrictions.
• Follows recipes accurately to ensure correct quantity and quality (taste, temperature, etc.).
• Plans and organizes work schedule to ensure food is ready, garnished, and on the line as scheduled.
• Cleans and sanitizes food service equipment according to schedule using proper cleaning agents.
• Completes prep work for the following day.
• Maintains an optimistic and professional image while exhibiting excellent customer relations to patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.
• Shows courtesy, compassion, and respect, conforming to Service Excellence Policy and Service Expectations.
• Demonstrates appropriate communication for all ages and responds to customer/patient requests and needs.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including interdepartmental support.
• Keeps work area neat and clean at all times and is responsible for the area during inspections.

Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year of cooking experience (internal candidates with 1 year as a Nutrition Associate at LMC may be considered).
• Demonstrates basic mathematical skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong time management.
• Ability to follow recipes consistently and accurately.
• Strong customer service skills and knowledge of basic kitchen equipment.
• Understanding of food service safety guidelines, including temperature danger zones, HACCP, proper storage, and sanitation.

Benefits

• Day-one medical, dental, and life insurance benefits.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6% from day one.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x salary, with optional supplemental coverage up to 3x salary at low cost.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan forgiveness.

Schedule

Full-time AM shift: 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM.