Cook / Dietary Aide

Valley Care Management; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Cook/Dietary Aide, where you will play a vital role in enhancing the dining experience for residents. This position involves preparing nutritious meals according to designated menus while ensuring compliance with health standards. You'll interact with residents to ensure satisfaction and adapt meals to meet their dietary needs. If you're passionate about food service and making a difference in the lives of older adults, this opportunity is perfect for you. Bring your enthusiasm and energy to a supportive team dedicated to creating a positive dining atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills focused on older adults.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow recipes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals while ensuring food presentation and sanitation.
• Interact with residents to enhance their dining experience.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Customer Orientation

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Ability to Follow Recipes

Dining Service Experience

Experience in Senior Living

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

Cook / Dietary Aide

Job Title: Cook and Cook Aide

Department: Kitchen

Reports to: Kitchen Manager

Position Summary: Prepare meals for residents, family members, guests, and staff, following designated menus, in a manner that optimizes nutrition and enhances the dining experience. Consistently uphold the principles, service standards, philosophy, and mission.

Position Responsibilities – Service:

1. Routinely interact with residents to determine and enhance their satisfaction with the meal program.
2. Ensure an attractive presentation of food on each plate.
3. Prepare meals according to the daily menu plan and/or as directed by the Kitchen Manager.
4. Serve meals and beverages on time according to meal times; not early, not late.
5. Adjust or adapt recipes to accommodate specific dietary needs, when possible.
6. Monitor and adhere to portion control standards.
7. Prepare meals in accordance with sanitary regulations and facility policies and procedures.
8. Adhere to all proper handling, labeling, and storage protocols for all foods.
9. Properly document meal intakes and fluid intakes.
10. Identify and communicate resident dislikes and likes with the Kitchen Manager.
11. Assist in keeping noise levels down during meal times.
12. Wash, dry, and put away all dishes.
13. Restock items that are running low or out.
14. Accommodate sick meals to residents in the dining or bedrooms.
15. Clean dining room floor and tables after each meal.
16. Clean kitchen before leaving shift.
17. Stock resident refrigerator and storage bins daily.
18. Participate in and attend all required in-service training sessions.
19. Report to administrator refusal and zero percentages of meal intakes.
20. Communicate any staff or resident issues with the Kitchen Manager and administrator.
21. All other duties assigned.

Team Effort:

1. Assist in ensuring compliance with State and Local Regulations.
2. Assist Dietician and Kitchen Manager in developing new menu items and recipes and ordering.
3. Assist in appropriately interacting with residents, family members, and other guests.
4. Assist all other departments with other duties as needed and/or assigned by Kitchen Manager or Administrator.

Action:

1. Respond to resident emergencies; provide first-aid assistance and arrange for appropriate medical attention and follow-up.
2. Practice safety in working around and with equipment, chemicals, tools, and utensils.
3. No horse playing or agitating residents.
4. Maintain professional relationships with all employees - no arguing.
5. Maintain good hygiene and a professional appearance.

Success:

1. Contribute to resident satisfaction by ensuring that customer expectations are met or exceeded.
2. Maintain efficient and appropriate communication with residents, family members, and guests.
3. Contribute to marketing efforts through appropriate interaction with prospective residents and guests.

Essential skills, experience, and abilities:

1. Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
2. Strong customer orientation to older adults.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and energy.
5. Ability to read, write, comprehend, and follow directions in a recipe.
6. Prior dining service experience in a high-volume setting.
7. Previous experience working in a senior living environment.

Nonessential skills and experience:

1. High school diploma or equivalent certificate.

Reporting to the position: No direct reports.

Dress Code:

1. Nursing uniforms / scrub-type clothing.
2. Tennis, nursing, or Croc-type shoes need to be slip-resistant. No open-toe shoes. Shoes must be worn at all times during working hours.
3. Name tag.
4. Hair should be up and in a hair net.
5. No piercings that dangle. No lip or eyebrow rings.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here 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.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, use fine and gross motor skills, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, and/or smell. An individual must have the reading ability at the level to comprehend notes. An individual in this position will be required to lift or carry weights up to 75 pounds. The employee occasionally works in high precarious places and is frequently exposed to heat and risk of electrical shock. Intermittent physical activity includes lifting and supporting residents. The employee must be free of diseases that can be transmitted in the performance of job responsibilities during the stage of communicability.

The employee must use proper body mechanics.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to minimal to moderate noise. The employee will be exposed to blood and/or body fluids. The employee may encounter traumatic situations, such as having to care for mentally ill residents and contact deceased residents. Employee will be scheduled based on operational needs (e.g., shift rotation, standby, on-call, etc.). SLEEPING IS NOT PERMITTED DURING WORKING HOURS.

General Sign-Off: This Job Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.