Dietary Cook

Dahl Memorial; Montana; On-site; USD 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka, Montana is seeking a Dietary Cook to join the Dietary Services team. The role involves preparing nutritious meals for patients and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.

Ideal candidates should have experience in food service, excellent time management skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our patients.

Qualifications

• Previous institutional, restaurant, or healthcare food service experience preferred.
• Ability to read recipes and follow instructions.
• Ability to measure ingredients accurately.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and cooks meals according to established menus.
• Ensures meals meet therapeutic diet requirements.
• Cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment and surfaces.

Skills

Food preparation techniques

Knowledge of kitchen equipment

Food safety principles

Teamwork

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

Job description

At DMHA each unit and department offers a wide range of interesting roles and responsibilities. Whether you’re on the front lines of patient care or supporting the operations behind the scenes, your work at DMHA will be meaningful and rewarding. Our employees are committed to delivering excellent and compassionate healthcare, going above and beyond to serve patients.

Dahl Memorial Healthcare is seeking a dependable and motivated Dietary Cook to join our Dietary Services team. The Dietary Cook is responsible for preparing nutritious, high-quality meals for patients, residents, staff, and visitors while following established recipes, physician-ordered diets, and food safety standards. This position helps ensure a positive dining experience by maintaining quality, consistency, and sanitation in all food preparation and service activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares and cooks meals according to established menus, standardized recipes, and production schedules.
• Ensures meals meet physician-ordered therapeutic and modified diet requirements.
• Maintains proper food temperatures, portion control, and attractive meal presentation.
• Assists with food preparation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and special events.
• Follows all food safety, sanitation, infection prevention, and HACCP guidelines.
• Properly stores, labels, and rotates food products using FIFO principles.
• Cleans and sanitizes kitchen equipment, work areas, and food preparation surfaces.
• Assists with receiving, stocking, and monitoring food and supply inventory.
• Reports equipment malfunctions, food shortages, and safety concerns to the Dietary Manager.
• Works collaboratively with Dietary Services staff and other departments to provide exceptional customer service.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with all hospital policies, HIPAA regulations, and safety standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous institutional, restaurant, or healthcare food service experience preferred.
• Knowledge of food preparation techniques, kitchen equipment, and food safety principles.
• Ability to read recipes, follow written and verbal instructions, and accurately measure ingredients.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

Certificates and Licensure

• Food Handler's Permit or the ability to obtain one within the required timeframe.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and perform repetitive hand movements.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely operate commercial kitchen equipment.
• Ability to work in environments with heat, steam, and varying temperatures.

Why Join Dahl Memorial Healthcare?

At Dahl Memorial Healthcare, our Dietary Services team plays an essential role in supporting the health and well-being of our patients and residents. We are committed to providing compassionate care, maintaining high-quality standards, and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented work environment where every employee makes a difference.

Ekalaka, Montana, is a small, tight-knit community nestled in the southeastern part of the state, known for its picturesque landscapes and strong sense of camaraderie among its residents. With a population of just a few hundred people, Ekalaka embodies the essence of rural American life, where neighbors know each other by name and support one another through thick and thin. The town is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Montana plains, with the nearby Custer National Forest offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, hunting, and wildlife observation. Ekalaka is rich in history, with roots dating back to its founding in the late 19th century, and it proudly maintains its heritage through local museums and community events.

The critical access hospital in Ekalaka plays an indispensable role in this rural community. As a critical access hospital, it is specially designated to provide essential healthcare services to residents who might otherwise face significant barriers to receiving care due to geographic isolation. This hospital offers a wide range of services, including emergency care, inpatient and outpatient services, laboratory testing, and radiology. It is staffed by dedicated healthcare professionals who are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care. The hospital not only addresses the immediate health needs of the community but also focuses on preventative care and wellness programs, ensuring that residents have access to the necessary resources to maintain their health. In a region where the nearest urban medical center may be hours away, Dahl Memorial Healthcare is a beacon of hope and stability, providing critical healthcare services that are vital to the well-being and survival of this resilient community.