Cook II Full-time Various Start Times

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare; Palos Heights (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine is seeking a Cook II to support the Food and Nutrition Team in a hospital setting. The role involves preparing hot items, following approved recipes, and ensuring food safety and quality for patients, staff, and catering events.

The position emphasizes knife skills, HACCP practices, and collaborating with culinary leadership to maintain kitchen operations and schedule efficiency.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; or 1 year relevant experience in cooking, production, or food service.
• Successful completion of Safe Food Handler certification within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Measures, mixes, and prepares ingredients according to approved recipes.
• Cooks meats, fish, and fowl safely in various methods.
• Maintains kitchen/station in a safe and organized manner.

Skills

Knife skills

Special diets knowledge

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Safe Food Handler certification

Job description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

This position requires the following various start/shift hours:

4:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 4:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 5:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Good knife skills, and hospital experience is preferred.

Workflow includes prep work, tray line serving, made to order items and grill.

The Cook II reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Supports the Food and Nutrition Team by preparing hot food and meal items in a safe and sanitary manner.

Responsibilities:

• Measures, mixes, and prepares ingredients according to approved recipes.


• Demonstrates understanding and proper use of kitchen equipment including, but not limited to: blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers, ovens, steamers, etc.


• Demonstrates consistent use of knife skills (chopping, slicing, dicing, paring)


• Prepares and presents café, patient, and catering menu items according to recipes and standards.


• Prepares and presents sauces, soups, stews, casseroles, and desserts meeting established dietary guidelines.


• Cooks meats, fish, and fowl safely in a variety of ways such as baking, roasting, broiling and steaming. Carves meats into individual servings according to recipe and/or diet order.


• Monitors and records temperature of steam table and hot held items throughout service period.


• Tests foods being cooked to ensure doneness. Adjusts heat controls as needed. Insures foods are prepared, held or served at proper temperatures.


• Produces food that is flavorful and attractively presented.


• Only changes ingredients or seasonings when directed by chef or culinary leader.


• Maintains product levels and appearance of service stations.


• Consults with manager regarding handling of any leftovers.


• Observes infection control and HACCP practices at all times.


• Proper completion of all daily temperature logs and daily production sheets. Assists supervisor with corrections as needed.


• Maintains kitchen/station in a safe and organized manner.


• Manages work schedule efficiently completing tasks at assigned times.


• Monitors cooking equipment as needed. Communicates with a manager to initiate any repairs.


• Other duties may be assigned by managers or supervisors due to operational needs.

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent; or in lieu of high school diploma/GED, must have a minimum of 1 year relevant experience in any of the following: cooking, production, or food service.


• Successful completion of Safe Food Handler certification within 1 year of hire.

Preferred:

• Previous healthcare cooking experience.


• Completion of some culinary schooling


• Basic knowledge of special diets.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.