Cook

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 0

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The Cook prepares, cooks, and serves a variety of high-quality food items in accordance with standardized recipes, dietary requirements, food safety regulations, and departmental standards. This role supports patient, employee, and visitor meal service by ensuring food is prepared safely, efficiently, and in compliance with nutritional guidelines while maintaining a clean, organized, and sanitary kitchen environment. The Cook collaborates with Food Service leadership, dietitians, and team members to support exceptional customer service and meal quality.

Education/Training

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful completion of a culinary arts program, vocational culinary training, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred

Licenses/Certification:

• Allergen Awareness Certification required or obtained within one (1) year of hire.
• ServSafe Certification preferred

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of cooking or food service experience.
• Strong culinary skills and knowledge of food preparation techniques
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and infection prevention standards
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with patients, visitors, and coworkers
• Demonstrated commitment to food quality, customer service, and teamwork.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Culinary Arts degree or formal culinary training
• Previous experience in healthcare, hospital, long-term care, or institutional food service environment.
• Experience preparing therapeutic and specialized diets.
• Experience operating commercial kitchen equipment and production systems.
• Knowledge of dietary restrictions, allergen management, and food service regulations.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining quality and service standards.

Essential Job Functions:

• Prepare, cook, and serve a variety of food items in accordance with standardized recipes, production schedules, and dietary requirements.
• Ensure meals are prepared and presented in compliance with food quality, portion control, sanitation, and safety standards.
• Review menus, production sheets, and diet orders to ensure accurate meal preparation for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Prepare foods to accommodate therapeutic diets, allergies, and special dietary needs as directed by Dietitians and Food Service leadership.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely and efficiently.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of kitchen, food preparation areas, equipment, and storage locations in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Monitor food temperatures, storage conditions, and product quality to ensure food safety compliance.
• Assist with receiving, storing, rotating, and inventorying food and supplies using established procedures.
• Collaborate with Food Service team members to support efficient meal production, service, and customer satisfaction.
• Assist with catering, special functions, and departmental events as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, food safety standards, infection prevention practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in departmental training, quality improvement initiatives, and ongoing competency development.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients, visitors, and colleagues while maintaining a professional and respectful work environment.

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.

Age and Diversity Related Criteria:   

Consistently treats patients, colleagues, and visitors with dignity and respect, while being sensitive to the differing needs of all age groups, backgrounds, characteristics, and cultures.

Ability to Fulfill Job Expectations:

Must have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including required work hours, locations, and physical demands, without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves or other individuals in the workplace, and with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, and perform repetitive motions associated with food preparation and kitchen operations.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and move food products, equipment, and supplies using appropriate body mechanics.
• Ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment, utensils, and machinery.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for food preparation, cooking, cleaning, and documentation tasks.
• Ability to read recipes, production records, menus, and food service documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, patients, visitors, and vendors.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, including exposure to heat, steam, refrigeration, and freezer environments.
• Ability to work additional hours, weekends, holidays, and rotational schedules as required by operational needs.

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Salary Range: $18.71-$28.26

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Salary Range Details

The pay range displayed on each job posting reflects the anticipated range for new hires. A successful candidate’s actual compensation will be determined after taking factors into consideration such as the candidate’s work history, experience, skill set, and education. This is not inclusive of the value Sturdy Health’s benefits package (if applicable), which includes among other benefits, healthcare/dental/vision and retirement. For annual salaries this is based on full-time employment.

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Sturdy Memorial Hospital is an equal employment opportunity employer. There is no discrimination because of race, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or disability.