Lead/Prep Cook Part time Rotating schedule

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital; Winfield (IL); On-site; USD 26,174 - 35,817; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Repayment

Professional Development

Wellbeing Fund

401(k) Matching

Healthcare coverage

PTO & Holidays

Job summary

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL, is seeking a Cook II to support the Food and Nutrition Team by preparing hot items safely. 20 hours per week with varying shifts; duties include following recipes, maintaining equipment, and ensuring proper temperatures.

The role emphasizes adherence to safety standards, infection control, and HACCP practices while contributing to patient and cafe service. A union context may influence placement within salary guides.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; or 1 year of relevant food service experience.
• Safe Food Handler certification within 1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Measures, mixes, and prepares ingredients per recipes.
• Operates kitchen equipment safely (blenders, ovens, steamers).
• Maintains knife skills for chopping, slicing, dicing, paring.
• Prepares and presents café, patient, and catering items per standards.
• Ensures foods are cooked and kept at proper temperatures.
• Maintains station appearance and cleanliness throughout service.

Skills

Food preparation

Safety compliance

Sanitation

Temperature records

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

The salary range for this position is $19.00 - $26.60 (Hourly Rate).

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section located at jobs.nm.org/benefits to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world‑class care. Here, you’ll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you’ve been, and we support where you’re headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well‑Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional, and financial well‑being.

Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce‑led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part‑time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part‑time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part‑time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part‑time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Description

The Cook II reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Supports the Food and Nutrition Team by preparing hot food and meal items in a safe and sanitary manner.

20 hours a week. Must be able to work different shifts.

Responsibilities

• Measures, mixes, and prepares ingredients according to approved recipes.
• Demonstrates understanding and proper use of kitchen equipment including, but not limited to: blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers, ovens, steamers, etc.
• Demonstrates consistent use of knife skills (chopping, slicing, dicing, paring).
• Prepares and presents café, patient, and catering menu items according to recipes and standards.
• Prepares and presents sauces, soups, stews, casseroles, and desserts meeting established dietary guidelines.
• Cooks meats, fish, and fowl safely in a variety of ways such as baking, roasting, broiling and steaming. Carves meats into individual servings according to recipe and/or diet order.
• Monitors and records temperature of steam table and hot held items throughout service period.
• Tests foods being cooked to ensure doneness. Adjusts heat controls as needed. Insures foods are prepared, held or served at proper temperatures.
• Produces food that is flavorful and attractively presented.
• Only changes ingredients or seasonings when directed by chef or culinary leader.
• Maintains product levels and appearance of service stations.
• Consults with manager regarding handling of any leftovers.
• Observes infection control and HACCP practices at all times.
• Proper completion of all daily temperature logs and daily production sheets. Assists supervisor with corrections as needed.
• Maintains kitchen/station in a safe and organized manner.
• Manages work schedule efficiently completing tasks at assigned times.
• Monitors cooking equipment as needed. Communicates with a manager to initiate any repairs.
• Other duties may be assigned by managers or supervisors due to operational needs.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School diploma or equivalent; or in lieu of high school diploma/GED, must have a minimum of 1 year relevant experience in any of the following: cooking, production, or food service.
• Successful completion of Safe Food Handler certification within 1 year of hire.

Preferred:

• Previous healthcare cooking experience.
• Completion of some culinary schooling.
• Basic knowledge of special diets.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility

Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.