CookDietary Aide

Purpose of Your Job Position

The primary purpose of your job position is to prepare food in accordance with current applicable federal state and local standards guidelines and regulations with our established policies and procedures and as may be directed by the Head Cook and/or Director of Food Services to assure that quality food service is provided at all times.

Delegation of Authority

As Cook you are delegated the administrative authority responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

Job Functions

Every effort has been made to identify the essential function of this position. However it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or is an essential function of the position.

Miscellaneous Information
Information explaining the Essential function Safety Factors and the Competency Evaluation columns as well as the Risk Exposure Category legend is provided in the Job Position Analysis Information section located on the last page of this job description. (Note: The number assigned to each individual column corresponds to that same number in the Analysis section.

Duties and Responsibilities
Administrative Functions
Review menus prior to preparation of food.
Inspect special diet trays to assure that the correct diet is served to the resident.
Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms reports etc. and submit to the Director of Food Services.
Coordinate food service with other departments as necessary.
Work with the facilitys dietitian as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.
Ensure that all food procedures are followed in accordance with established policies.
Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.
Assume the authority responsibility and accountability of Cook.
Ensure that menus are maintained and filed in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Assist in establishing food service production line etc. to assure that meals are prepared on time.
Process diet changes and new diets as received from Nursing Services.
Agree not to disclosed assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report any known or suspected unauthorized access use or disclosure of such information to the Administrator.
Others as deemed necessary and appropriate or as may be directed.
Personnel Functions
Develop and maintain a good working rapport with interdepartment personnel as well as with other departments within the facility to assure that food service can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth personal interest and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment throughout the department.
Report occupational exposures to blood body fluids infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to the Director of Food Services.
Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
Log off computer workstations per established facility policy.
Staff Development
Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary.
Attend and participate in workshops seminars etc. as directed.
Attend and participate in facility mandatory inservice training programs as scheduled (e.g. OSHA TB HIPAA Abuse Prevention etc..
Food Service
Prepare meals in accordance with planned menus.
Prepare and serve meals that are palatable and appetizing in appearance.
Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
Prepare food for therapeutic diets in accordance with planned menus.
Prepare food in accordance with standardized recipes and special diet orders.
Prepare and serve bedtime snacks.
Be sure that appropriate equipment and utensils are provided with the residents meal tray.
Review care plans to assure that current food information is consistent with foods served.
Prepare and serve substitute foods to residents who refuse foods served.

Safety and Sanitation

Prepare food in accordance with sanitary regulations as well as our established policies and procedures.
Ensure that safety regulations and precautions are followed at all times by all personnel.
Follow established Infection Control Precautions policies and procedures when performing daily tasks.
Assist/direct daily or scheduled cleaning duties in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Ensure that the department is maintained in a clean and safe manner by assuring that necessary equipment and supplies are maintained.
Report all hazardous conditions/equipment to the Director of Food Services immediately.
Report all accidents/incidents as established by department policies. Fill out and file reports as directed.
Assist in maintaining food storage areas in a clean and properly arranged manner at all times.
Dispose of food and waste in accordance with established policies.
Wear protective clothing and equipment when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
Report missing/illegible labels or MSDSs to the Director of Food Services.

Equipment and Supply Functions
Ensure that food and supplies for the next meal are readily available.
Assist in inventorying and storing incoming food supplies etc. as necessary.
Recommend to the Director of Food Services the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Resident Rights
Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized access use or disclosure of such information.
Knock before entering a residents room.
Review complaints and grievances and make necessary oral/written reports to the Director of Food Services. Follow facilitys established procedures.
Miscellaneous
Assist in serving meals as necessary and on a timely basis.
Make only authorized food substitutions.
Assist in food preparation for special meals for parties etc.

Working Conditions

Works in welllighted/ventilated areas. Atmosphere is warm for cooking.
Moves intermittently during working hours.
Is subject to frequent interruptions.
Is involved with residents personnel visitors government agencies/personnel etc. under all conditions and circumstances.
Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents family members etc.
Communicates with the medical staff nursing staff and other department supervisors.
Works beyond normal duty hours on weekends and in other positions temporarily when necessary.
Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g. severe weather evacuation postdisaster etc..
Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
Is subject to injury from falls burns from equipment odors etc. throughout the workday as well as reactions from dust disinfectants tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.
Is subject to sudden temperature changes when entering refrigerator.
May be exposed to heat/cold temperatures in kitchen/storage area.
Is subject to exposure to infectious waste diseases conditions etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
Maintains a liaison with other department directors to adequately plan for food services/activities.
May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

Must possess as a minimum an 8th grade education.

Experience

One 1 year food experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital nursing care facility or other related medical facility preferred (but not necessary).

Specific Requirements

Must be able to cook a variety of foods in large quantities.
Must be able to read write speak and understand the English language.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel residents family members visitors government agencies/personnel and the general public.
Must be knowledgeable of food procedures.
Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
Must maintain the care and use of supplies equipment the appearance of work areas and perform regular inspections of food service areas for sanitation order safety and proper performance of assigned duties.
Must have patience tact cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing food practices.
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Must be able to perform duties in a conscious state of alertness and in a safe manner.
Must be free from any impairing substance including but not limited to alcohol or any other drug.

Physical and Sensory Requirements
(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
Must function independently have flexibility personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with the residents personnel and support agencies.
Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
Must be able to relate to and work with ill disabled elderly emotionally upset and at times hostile people within the facility.
Must be able to push pull move and/or lift a minimum of 60 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push pull move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
Must be able to taste and smell food to determine quality and palatability.
May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.