COOK (Healthcare)

Universal Hospital Services Inc.; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Generous PTO

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(K) with company match

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

FSA/HSA

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health in Norfolk, VA, a 106-bed hospital, provides acute, residential, and partial hospitalization for children and teens. The Dietary Associate role, reporting to the Dietary and Food Services Manager, focuses on preparing healthy meals for residents, staff, and guests.

You will follow health department policies, maintain sanitation, assist on serving lines, plan production, and support service excellence.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of basic food service in a hospital or restaurant setting.
• Must possess valid Food Handlers Card or ServSafe Certification.
• Ability to read, write and follow instructions with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Prepares food items per weekly menu and for special occasions.
• Ensures sanitation and health standardsare met in accordance with regulations.
• Prepares and replenishes food on serving lines and stocks utensils.
• Plans production to minimize overages/shortages and manages leftovers.
• Maintains effective communication with staff and demonstrates service excellence.
• Interprets policies and collaborates with the department to meet objectives.

Skills

Food service knowledge

Reading & writing

Effective communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Responsibilities

Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health is a leading community partner providing acute, residential, and Partial Hospitalization treatment for children and teens exhibiting behavioral and/or mental health concerns. The hospital provides high quality care to children, adolescents and their families using quality, evidence-based practice treatments. Founded in 1986, Kempsville Center for Behavioral Health is a 106-bed hospital facility accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

Website: https://www.kempsvillecbh.com/

Position Description:

Reporting to the Dietary and Food Services Manager, the Dietary Associate is responsible for preparing healthy and appealing food items, as required for residents, staff, and guests.

Job Duties/ Responsibilities:

1. Prepares food items, as posted on weekly menu, for special functions, or as required to accommodate residents, staff, and guests.
2. Observes all Health Department and facility policies and procedures regarding safe food cooking, handling, storing, identification of foods, and serving standards, in strict accordance with the regulation.
3. Ensures department sanitation and health standards set forth by regulations, are exceeded; maintains compliance with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point; follows principles of sanitation in handling food and equipment.
4. Prepares and replenishes food on the serving line; stocks all utensils, disposables, and condiments after each meal; ensures all meals are prepared and served according to recipe and ensures each is healthy and appealing.
5. Plans production to ensure a minimum of "overages and shortages", and makes efficient use of leftovers; orders and places orders using specified par levels; inventories items accurately; notify designee of shortages or substitutions.
6. Fosters effective communication in the milieu consistent with therapeutic goals; fosters effective communication with staff members, and champions dialogue in addressing concerns.
7. Serves as a role model for patients/residents to observe and learn socially effective values, attitudes and behaviors and demonstrates Service Excellence.
8. Interprets facility and departmental policies and works cohesively with department in the attainment of organizational objectives.

Benefit Highlights:

• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Tuition Reimbursement program and student loan refinancing
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)Life Insurance and Disability Insurances
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness Programs and other voluntary benefits
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website UHS Benefits Service Center

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500® corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit www.uhs.com.

From Fortune, ©2025, 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Qualifications

Requirements:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of basic food service in a hospital or restaurant setting (ingredients, measurement, food preparation, and food serving standards).
2. Demonstrated ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
3. Demonstrated ability to disassemble, assemble, operate and clean food service equipment.
4. Must possess valid Food Handlers Card or Safeserve Certification prior to starting date.
5. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
6. Skill in the use of computer systems and software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel) preferred.
7. Must be able to handle multiple competing tasks, with minimum supervision, and take initiative on matters of revolving urgency.
8. Must be responsible in arriving at work on time daily.
9. Must provide Service Excellence in both attitude and disposition to all staff and patients.

Education:

High school graduate, GED or equivalentpreferred; or combination of knowledge, skills, experience, and abilities.

Experience:

Two or more years of institutional or restaurant cooking experience preferred.

Licensure/Certification:

Valid Food Handlers Card or Safeserve Certification

Physical requirements:

Requires physical exertion to bend, lift, and carry items weighing up to 40lbs; exposed to temperature range -10F to 100F; be able to fit in working space as tight as 24" square; bends, lifts, stands in work areas continuously minimum of four hours at a time; must be able to work with hazardous chemicals. Must be able to hear and see with accuracy.. Must be 21 years old or older.

Exposure Categories:

Blood borne disease exposure category: Category II

EEO Statement:

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.