Cook PRN

Oceans Healthcare; Hammond (LA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Hammond is seeking a qualified Cook to support inpatient and outpatient dietary services. You will plan menus, supervise kitchen staff, and ensure meals meet therapeutic diets and safety standards in a fast-paced hospital setting.

Completion of culinary school is required, with two years of hospital or nursing home cooking experience preferred. CPR certification and de-escalation training are required for this role.

Qualifications

• Reads and writes clearly; follows recipes and uses measurements accurately.
• Basic cooking skills with understanding of therapeutic diets.
• CPR certification and Oceans approved de-escalation program completed.
• Completion of culinary school is required or strongly preferred.
• Two years' experience in a hospital or nursing home kitchen preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans daily cooking schedule and follows standardized recipes.
• Directs assistants and aides in a professional manner.
• Prepares and serves meals per menus, orders, and therapeutic diets.
• Maintains proper food temperatures and records temperatures.
• Substitutes foods within food groups as directed.
• Serves food on trays during mealtimes.
• Cleans, sanitizes and maintains equipment; follows cleaning assignments.
• Prepares for the following day's menu; adheres to policies.

Skills

Read and write

Follow recipes

Accurate measurements

Therapeutic diets

Basic cooking

CPR certification

De-escalation training

Education

Culinary school diploma

Job description

At Oceans Behavioral Hospital Hammond, healing is our focus. We are passionate about helping adults and seniors manage the challenges associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Utilizing proven, innovative and progressive therapies, our qualified professionals strive to promote long-term wellness through a range of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric counseling and treatment options.

The Cook performs a variety of volume food preparation tasks. Plans cooking schedules and directs the work of assistants in a professional manner. Ensures patient satisfaction. All duties to be done in accordance with Joint Commission, Federal and State regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures, and Performance Improvement standards.

Essential Functions

• Plans daily cooking schedule to meet deadlines and follows standardized recipes.
• Directs the work of assistants and aides in a professional manner.
• Prepares and serves meals per menus, physician orders, resident preferences, and therapeutic diet spreadsheet.
• Assures food is served as proper temperatures and records these temperatures.
• Makes proper food substitutions within food groups as directed.
• Serves food on tray line at mealtime.
• Cleans, sanitizes, and covers kitchen equipment and follows listed cleaning assignments.
• Prepares for the following day's menu.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education / Experience:

Completion of culinary school. Minimum of 2 years experience as a cook in a nursing home or hospital setting preferred.

Qualifications / Skills

Must be able to read and write, follow recipes, use measurements, have basic experience in cooking, and understand the fundamentals of therapeutic diets. Should be proficient in performing duties within a three-month time frame. Must be able to plan, organize, and meet servicing deadlines. Duties are diversified and semi-repetitive. Methods and procedures are standardized. Must successfully complete CPR certification and an Oceans approved behavioral health de-escalation program.

Work Environment

Subject to many interruptions. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Heavy lifting and physical exertion. Works in kitchen with temperatures above 90 degrees at times, and exposure to a variety of chemicals.