Dietary Cook

San Joaquin Nursing and Rehabilitation – Bakersfield, CA
Pay Range: $18.00 – $19.00 per hour
Status: Full-Time / Part-Time

General Purpose

The Dietary Cook is responsible for preparing nutritious, appetizing meals for residents in accordance with facility menus, dietary guidelines, and physician-ordered diets. The cook also assists in maintaining a safe, sanitary, and organized kitchen environment. In the absence of the Dietary Supervisor, the cook may assist with overseeing kitchen operations to ensure meal service runs smoothly and efficiently. The cook reports directly to the Dietary Supervisor.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain the kitchen and cooking areas in a safe, orderly, clean, and sanitary manner

• Prepare and cook a variety of foods in large quantities according to established menus and dietary guidelines

• Follow prepared menus, recipes, and portion control guides

• Accurately prepare and serve special diets, including modified textures and therapeutic diets

• Prepare pureed foods when required

• Record and monitor food temperatures during meal preparation and service

• Maintain quaternary solution levels in sanitizer buckets according to sanitation standards

• Assist with meal service and ensure food presentation is appealing to residents

• Clean cooking areas, kitchen equipment, and serving carts after use

• Ensure all kitchen cleaning schedules are followed

• Work cooperatively with staff from all departments to ensure efficient meal service

• Participate in the orientation and ongoing training of dietary staff

• Report any resident concerns or issues to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing

• Follow all food safety and infection control procedures

Supervisory Requirements

This position may have supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum one year of cooking experience in a hospital, healthcare facility, or long-term care environment preferred

Language Skills

• Ability to read and understand technical procedures and recipes

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions

• Ability to effectively communicate with supervisors and staff

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to apply basic math concepts including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions for recipe preparation and portion control

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems

• Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, or schedule form

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

• Must obtain and maintain ServSafe Certification

• Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred

• Must remain in good standing with the Department of Public Health

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Frequent standing and walking

• Occasional sitting

• Frequent reaching, pushing, and pulling

• Frequent talking, hearing, tasting, and smelling

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently

• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling

• Vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

• The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate

Additional Information

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. The duties described above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

San Joaquin Nursing and Rehabilitation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.