Dietary Cook

Tennessee State Veterans' Homes Board; Clarksville (TN); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Flexible spending account

Free parking

Job summary

The Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes Board in Clarksville, TN, invites you to join our compassionate dietary team dedicated to delivering high-quality meals to our veterans in a safe, supportive environment.

The Dietary Cook role focuses on sanitary food preparation, adherence to therapeutic diets, and cooperation with staff to meet resident needs while maintaining cost-effective operations. You will follow menus, manage supplies, and ensure timely meal service during scheduled shifts.

Qualifications

• Previous experience preparing meals in healthcare environmental services preferred.
• Ability to follow dietary guidelines and meal plans.
• Understanding of therapeutic diets and modifications (diabetic, low-sodium, etc.).
• Willingness to adjust to changing menus and resident needs.

Responsibilities

• Handle and prepare food in a sanitary manner.
• Prepare food which is palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Keep work area clean and sanitize surfaces after preparation.
• Follow written menus and recipes.
• Understand and be able to prepare therapeutic diets.
• Be responsible for avoiding food waste.
• Ensure timely meal service and meet meal schedules.
• Care for food service equipment.
• Work cooperatively with staff and other departments.
• Assume Quality Assurance duties as assigned.
• Coordinate with dietary team and residents’ representatives.

Skills

Shift work

Stamina

Dietary modifications

Team communication

Food safety

Job description

We invite you to join our team of talented, caring professionals that take pride in serving the veterans of Tennessee.

Our State Veterans’ Homes are consistently ranked among the top nursing homes in the nation because our dedicated team goes above and beyond to ensure every resident receives the highest quality of care possible. As an organization, we are passionate about creating an outstanding workplace for our employees.

Our competitive benefits package includes

• State of TN dental, vision, and health plans
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Child Account (DCA) options for child care and medical expenses
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay
• State of TN retirement plan (TCRS) – 100% employer paid pension contribution. Full-time employees are fully vested after 5 years of service.
• 401(k) and 457 plan options
• Sick leave and extended disability benefits
• Disability, cancer, accident, and life insurance
• Access to state wellness program
• State medical and prescription drug plan
• State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free credit union membership
• Cellular discount with specific provider

The primary purpose of the Dietary Cook is to prepare and provide food service to residents in a cost-effective, efficient manner to safely meet residents’ needs in compliance with federal, state and local requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handle and prepare food in a sanitary manner.
• Prepare food which is palatable and appetizing in appearance.
• Keep work area clean and sanitize work surfaces after food preparation.
• Follow written menus and recipes.
• Understand and be able to prepare therapeutic diets.
• Be responsible for avoiding food waste.
• Assume responsibility for meeting meal schedules.
• Responsible for care of food service equipment.
• Work cooperatively with food service staff and other departments.
• Assume Quality Assurance duties as assigned.
• Consistently work cooperatively with residents, residents’ representatives, facility staff, physicians, consultants and ancillary service providers.
• Reports any issues or problems that may arise to Dietary Manager
• Complies with state and federal sanitation standards

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to work scheduled shift.
• Ability to stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, and perform kitchen tasks safely.
• Previous experience preparing meals in healthcare environmental services preferred.
• Understanding of modifications for diabetic, low-sodium, soft diet, or allergen-free meals.
• Effectively interacting with residents, staff, and management regarding dietary needs and preferences.
• Precision in following dietary guidelines and meal plans.
• Willingness to adjust to changing menus, resident needs, or departmental priorities.
• Ability to prepare nutritious, appealing, and balanced meals efficiently.
• Must be able to positively interact with other staff, residents and families.
• Efficiently managing responsibilities while coordinating with staff and dietary team.

BENEFITS:

• 401(k)
• Dependent health insurance coverage
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Tennessee State Veterans’ Home Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes (TSVH) does not engage in unlawful employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in its employment, nor in any of its activities or operations. All operations are conducted equitably and inclusively, free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation. TSVH is committed in policy, principle, and practice to maintaining an employment environment which prohibits all discriminatory behavior and provides equal opportunity for all persons we encounter.