At Accolade Healthcare, the cook prepares meals for residents and their families. The cook is responsible for serving residents according to correct diet orders and is also in charge of dining services staff when managers are not present.

Personal Characteristics

• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare meals that look and taste great.
• Ability to be in charge of staff when managers are not present.
• Ability to be sensitive and courteous in dealing with the needs and feelings of older adults and their families.
• Ability to uphold the Mission and Vision of Accolade Healthcare.

Job Responsibilities, Duties And Authority

• Prepares all meals according to the recipes.
• Starts and finishes shift on time.
• Demonstrates leadership.
• Adheres to dining services uniform policy.
• Fills out required paperwork.
• Prepares all food required to be prepped.
• Serves all meals in the appropriate dining rooms.
• Presents food in an appetizing manner.
• Follows spreadsheets for each diet.
• Follows resident dietary orders.
• Assistant cooks are responsible for salads and desserts.
• Responsible for setting up appropriate dining areas after meals.
• Responsible for knowing how to use equipment in the kitchen and dining areas.
• Communicates well with other staff, residents, families, and guests.
• Adheres to all safety and sanitary regulations governing storage, handling, and serving of food and utensils.
• Uses proper procedures for closing up the kitchen and cleaning before leaving.
• Perceives and reports need for repair of dietary equipment by filling out a work request.
• Performs assigned cleaning tasks.
• Reports any unusual request, behavior, or activity with the residents to the nurse in charge.
• Reports supply shortages to the dietary supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.
• Attends mandatory dietary in-services.
• Meets on a one-on-one basis with dietary supervisor or assistant for an evaluation yearly.
• Ability to communicate in English via telephone, in writing, and verbally in conversation with different levels of staff, residents, and their families and any outside customers.

Working Conditions

• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequently required to stand or walk; occasionally required to sit, use hands and or fingers, reach with arms and hands, talk, hear, taste, smell, and lift and or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision and depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to utilize a phone when necessary.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to blood and other body fluids, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Ability to work weekend and Holiday rotation schedules.

Minimum Training, Experience And Certification Requirements

• Experience in food service is required.
• Minimum 2 years cook experience preferred.
• Food Handler Certification is/will be required.

• Opportunity to work in a supportive environment.
• Exposure to a diverse group of residents and families.
• Training and development opportunities.

• Minimum 2 years of cooking experience in food service.
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations.
• Ability to work in a team and handle multiple tasks.