Part-Time Cook
Western Slope Health Center - Placerville, CA
Starting Wage: $19.00 per hour | Part-Time
Make a Difference Through Every Meal!
Western Slope Health Center is seeking a dependable and compassionate Part-Time Cook to join our Dietary team. In this role, you will help prepare nutritious, appealing meals for our residents while maintaining a clean, safe, and sanitary kitchen environment.
The ideal candidate takes pride in their work, enjoys preparing food for others, and understands the importance of accuracy when preparing meals and special diets in a skilled nursing environment.
Position Summary
The Cook is responsible for preparing and serving meals in accordance with established menus, recipes, portion‑control guidelines, and special dietary requirements. The Cook will also assist with maintaining kitchen cleanliness and sanitation and may assume responsibility for kitchen operations in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor.
This position reports directly to the Dietary Supervisor.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Maintain the kitchen and cooking areas in a safe, orderly, clean, and sanitary manner.
- Prepare tasteful, nutritious, and appealing meals and cook a variety of foods in large quantities.
- Follow established menus, recipes, and portion‑control guidelines.
- Accurately prepare meals for residents requiring special diets.
- Record and monitor food temperatures according to facility procedures.
- Prepare pureed foods as required.
- Assist with serving meals to residents.
- Maintain proper quaternary sanitizer solution in designated sanitizer buckets.
- Clean cooking areas, kitchen equipment, and serving carts.
- Follow all established cleaning and sanitation schedules.
- Work cooperatively and harmoniously with dietary staff and personnel throughout the facility.
- Report resident care concerns and potential issues to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing.
- Assist with the orientation and ongoing training of dietary staff as assigned.
- Ensure meals are presented in an attractive and appetizing manner.
- Demonstrate a willingness to both supervise others and work effectively under supervision.
- Maintain a positive, respectful, and professional attitude when interacting with residents, families, coworkers, and management.
- Assume supervisory responsibility for kitchen operations in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
What We're Looking For
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- At least one year of experience as a cook in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, long-term care facility, or similar healthcare setting preferred.
- Experience preparing meals in large quantities preferred.
- Experience preparing special diets is highly desirable.
Knowledge & Skills
- Ability to read and follow recipes and written procedures.
- Ability to follow menus and portion‑control guidelines accurately.
- Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions from managers and employees.
- Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety and sanitation.
- Ability to work independently and take appropriate direction.
- Ability to manage kitchen responsibilities in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor.
Mathematical Skills
- Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability
- Ability to solve practical problems.
- Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Certifications & Requirements
- Must obtain and maintain a ServSafe Certificate.
- Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred.
- Must remain in good standing with the California Department of Public Health and meet applicable facility requirements.
Physical Requirements
- Standing and/or walking very frequently.
- Sitting occasionally.
- Reaching with hands and arms frequently.
- Pushing and pulling very frequently.
- Talking and/or hearing very frequently.
- Tasting and/or smelling very frequently.
- Lifting up to 50 pounds frequently .
- Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling occasionally.
- Ability to use close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception and adjust focus as needed.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Work Environment
The Cook works primarily in a kitchen and dining-service environment. The work environment may include exposure to kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, hot surfaces, and routine food-service activities. The noise level is generally low to moderate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.