Dietary Cook

Nexus Health Systems; Shenandoah (DE); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexus Health Systems is seeking a Dietary Cook to prepare and serve meals in a hospital setting, ensuring meals meet temperature and portion requirements and follow safety guidelines.

The role supports the Dietary Manager and Dietitians, handles meal tracking, and participates in sanitation, equipment handling, and specialty diets while delivering respectful service to patients, staff, and visitors.

Qualifications

• A high school degree or equivalent is required.
• One year of experience in institutional or commercial food service is preferred.
• Maintains Food Service Managers Certification.
• Basic computer skills required.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Completes daily tracking log of the number of meals, food served, food/meal substitutions, and food temperature checks.
• Adheres to the Food Safety manual regarding all food preparation practices.
• Ensures preparation of all meals timely.
• Ensures kitchen clean-up on a daily basis.
• Ensures that grocery and general shopping is completed in the absence of the Dietary Manager.
• Ensures that adequate levels of food supplies are maintained, including appropriate storage and rotating of supplies.
• Prepares and Serves special diet orders (such as pureed, low sodium, mechanical soft).
• Documents daily temperature checks on both refrigerators and freezers.
• Represents the department in the absence of the Dietary Manager to administration, physicians, and other team members.

Education

A high school degree or equivalent

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Dietary Cook is responsible for dietary meal preparation and service. This position is expected to carry out Supervisor and Dietician requests to ensure food is at an appropriate temperature.

JOB-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Completes daily tracking log of the number of meals, food served, food/meal substitutions, and food temperature checks.
• Adheres to the Food Safety manual regarding all food preparation practices.
• Ensures preparation of all meals timely.
• Ensures kitchen clean-up on a daily basis.
• Ensures that grocery and general shopping is completed in the absence of the Dietary Manager.
• Ensures that adequate levels of food supplies are maintained, including appropriate storage and rotating of supplies.
• Follows facility policies and procedures regarding proper sanitation, safety, and infection control as mandated by the Texas Department of Health.
• Prepares and Serves special diet orders (such as pureed, low sodium, mechanical soft).
• Documents daily temperature checks on both refrigerators and freezers.
• Works safely with all equipment
• Addresses patients, staff, and visitors with warmth and respect
• Utilizes time efficiently and completes duties without sacrificing the quality of work
• Demonstrates flexibility in work schedule to meet the needs of the department and hospital.
• Participates in and understands Food and Nutrition Services process improvement projects
• Demonstrates knowledge of proper chemical use and storage
• Prepares and delivers formulas in the absence of dietary aide
• Assists in the delivery of food trays
• Delivers P.M. formulas as necessary.
• Maintains tray accuracy of at least 80%.
• Represents the department in the absence of the Dietary Manager to administration, physicians, and other team members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

• A high school degree or equivalent is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of experience in institutional or commercial food service is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Maintains Food Service Managers Certification.
• Basic computer skills required
• Must have a valid driver's license