Cook - Acute

Palms-Behavioral-Health-3; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, TX seeks an on-site Cook - Acute to implement daily menus and coordinate meal preparation for patients, staff, and visitors. The role ensures nutritious, appealing meals, adheres to dietary guidelines, and maintains clean, safe kitchen operations.

The cook will follow recipes, monitor temperatures, assist with inventory, and support special dietary needs while upholding infection control standards.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Two or more years experience in institutional food service.
• SERV Safe certification or equivalent food safety certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare foods according to approved recipes and menus.
• Maintain accurate temperature logs and proper storage of foods.
• Direct staff in meal preparation and serving to ensure consistency.
• Monitor food portions and presentation for regular and therapeutic menus.
• Keep kitchen and equipment clean and organized; enforce infection control procedures.
• Record daily meal counts and inventory, assist in stock rotation.

Skills

Food preparation

Sanitation

Inventory management

Meal service

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Cook - Acute | Palms Behavioral Health | Harlingen, TexasAbout the Job:PURPOSE STATEMENT:The Cook implements menus and coordinates food preparation and serves meals. Responsibilities include ordering, inventory and preparing food items for the patients, staff and visitors of the facility, guaranteeing appealing, nutritious, and high-quality meals and snack sare served. Preparation and serving activities are performed in accordance with the menus planned, food service policies, sanitary guidelines and food sensitivity/allergy requirements. Cleaning of the kitchen and services areas and equipment utilizes proper infection control procedures.Roles and Responsibilities:ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Plans and prepares foods in accordance with facility policies, approved dietary guidelines and recipes/menus provided by supervisor or Dietician.Plans individual cooking schedule so that all foods for regular and therapeutic menus and special functions will be properly cooked and ready at appropriate time.Follows recipes and portioning procedures to prepare meats/entrees, gravies, casseroles, vegetables, soups, salads, and desserts for daily menu.Stores and prepares food safely, i.e. maintains accurate temperature logs, in range hot/cold storage, prompt freezer/refrigeration, stock rotation, labeling/dating food items and discarding out-of-date food.Sets up steam tables in such a way to make them attractive and easily served in standardized portions, labels food according to modification.Prepares leftover food for proper storage labeled with description of food and date; and assists with the cleaning of steam table and pans.Directs activities of staff who assist in preparing and serving meals.Takes recommended measures to prepare food to preserve nutritional benefits.Monitors serving line and may serve food throughout serving periods to ensure that foods are available to replenish when needed without delay.Records equipment and food temperatures and meal counts daily.Keeps cooking area in kitchen clean and orderly, and transports trash to dumpster.Cleans and inspects equipment, kitchen appliances and work areas to ensure cleanliness and functional operation.Takes inventory of supplies and equipment. Checks and inspects food products and supplies as delivered. Assists in storage of supplies and food products.Applies culinary and cooking techniques needed for special and/or restrictive dietary requirements.EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:High school graduate or equivalent required.Two or more years’ experience in food service role in preparing food for institutions, such as school, hospital or cafeteria preferred.LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:SERV Safe Certification or similar food safety certification, where required by the state or facility.WORK LOCATION:This position is onsite at the facility and is not a remote position.SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:This position is an Individual Contributor.Why Palms Behavioral Health?Palms Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Palms Behavioral Health is an EOE.Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.