The Cook’s Assistant supports the kitchen staff by assisting with food preparation, basic cooking tasks, and maintaining the highest standards of sanitation, safety, and dietary compliance. This role works under the supervision of the Cook to ensure that meals are prepared efficiently, safely, and in accordance with established recipes and food safety standards. The Cook’s Assistant also helps with inventory, storage, and serving as needed to support smooth kitchen operations.

Education/Training

• High school diploma or equivalent

Licenses/Certification:

• Serv-Safe or equivalent
• Allergen Certificate

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Basic math skills for measuring ingredients and portioning food.
• Reliability and punctuality to support consistent kitchen operations

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

• Prior hospital experience a plus
• Previous experience working in a kitchen, cafeteria, or food service environment.
• Basic knowledge of food preparation techniques and kitchen equipment.
• Familiarity with food safety, sanitation, and proper food handling practices.
• Ability to follow recipes and instructions accurately.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
•  ServSafe or other food safety certification (a plus).

Essential Job Functions:

Retail Service

• Prepares Retail Grill items to order.
• Manages Multiple orders at a time to keep up with customer volume
• Provides Excellent Customer Service during interactions
• Prepares and assembles salad bar. Maintains appearance of salad bar throughout service

Prepare Ingredients

• Wash, peel, cut, and portion fruits, vegetables, and other food items.
• Measure ingredients according to standardized recipes or diet orders
• Assist in assembling cold items such as salads, sandwiches, and beverages.

Support Meal Production

• Assist cooks and dietary staff with large-scale food preparation.
• Set up trays or plate meals according to patient dietary restrictions (e.g., diabetic, low sodium, allergy-sensitive).
• Follow proper portioning and labeling procedures.

Maintain Cleanliness and Sanitation

• Clean and sanitize workstations, tools, and equipment before and after use.
• Comply with all hospital infection control, sanitation, and food safety policies (e.g., HACCP).
• Handle food safely to avoid cross-contamination or spoilage.
• Cleans Walk in Refrigerator and Freezer Floors and Shelving

Stock and Inventory Support

• Receive and store food deliveries; rotate stock using FIFO (First In, First Out) method.
• Restock ingredients and supplies in the prep areas and refrigerators/freezers.
• Monitor inventory levels and report shortages to supervisors.

Tray Line and Meal Delivery Assistance

• Assemble patient meal trays accurately and efficiently.
• Assist in delivering meals to patient units or dining areas as needed.
• Ensure correct diet tags are attached to trays and meals meet individual dietary requirements.

Operate Equipment

• Safely use food processors, slicers, blenders, mixers, and other kitchen tools.
• Follow procedures for operating and cleaning equipment.

Follow Menus and Diet Orders

• Read and interpret patient diet cards or electronic orders.
• Ensure compliance with physician-prescribed nutritional guidelines (e.g., texture-modified, allergen-free, renal diets).

Team Communication and Compliance

• Communicate with supervisors, dietitians, and coworkers regarding food prep needs and issues.
• Report equipment malfunctions or food quality concerns.
• Participate in in-service training, safety meetings, and ongoing education.

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 treat 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:

Standing for extended periods, often 6-8+ hour per shift. Frequent movement around the kitchen, storage areas, and possibly to patient floors or delivery stations. Frequent chopping, stirring, portioning food, and packaging. Regular lifting of supplies and ingredients (often 10–25 lbs.). Occasional lifting of heavier items like bulk food containers or boxes (up to 50 lbs.). Moving food carts, trash bins, or storage racks. Bending, stooping, and reaching to access ingredients, utensils, and clean surfaces. Exposure to hot surfaces and equipment such as stoves, ovens, steamers. Exposure to cold environments, such as walk-in refrigerators or freezers. Exposure to slippery or wet floors due to spills or cleaning processes. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves, aprons, hairnets, and occasionally masks.

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Salary Range:$16.16-$19.47

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.