Nutrition & Food Service - Head Cook

Sioux Center Health; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retention bonus

Job summary

Sioux Center Health is seeking a Head Cook to provide high-quality, appetizing meals for patients, staff, and visitors. The role includes leading kitchen staff, ensuring food safety, and maintaining strict cleanliness standards in a faith‑based healthcare setting in Sioux Center, IA.

Responsibilities include training cooks, monitoring temperatures, and coordinating with supervisors to deliver meals that meet dietary plans and IDDSI standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent
• 1–3 months related experience or training
• Valid driver's license required

Responsibilities

• Head cook for designated meals during the shift.
• Train and lead cooks and staff in neighborhoods.
• Prepare food items following safety and temperature controls.
• Prepare foods per IDDSI standards and resident diet plans.
• Ensure proper labeling, dating, and storage of ingredients and leftovers.

Skills

Food prep

Team leadership

Food safety

Temp monitoring

Education

HS diploma or GED

1–3 months related experience

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Location: Sioux Center, IA Worker Type: Regular Work Shift: Day/Evening/Weekend/Holiday Shift (United States of America) Discover a Career of Faith and Healing: For over 70 years, Sioux Center Health has served patients with Jesus’ healing ministry. With eight locations located in Sioux Center, Iowa and surrounding communities, we take great pride in providing superior care in our state-of-the-art facilities.

A Career that You Will Love: There’s no other way to say it: You will love working here. Between our strong mission and our great people, we have nurtured a pretty exceptional culture at Sioux Center Health.

A Chance to Make a Difference: Working with us means making a real difference in the lives of our community members. Your talents and your passions are truly appreciated here. In addition to the service we provide, Sioux Center Health also supports our community with sponsored programs and events, and other volunteer work. If this is your passion, you need to consider joining our team driven to provide quality care and services within a caring Christian culture.

Position Highlights At Sioux Center Health, our people are the heart of everything we do. Guided by a strong mission and a commitment to exceptional care, we've built a stable, thriving organization where employees make a meaningful difference. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in the recognition we have earned. Sioux Center Health has been named a Top Workplace in Iowa, received Best of the Northwest honors in 13 categories—including Best Place to Work—and earned a Five-Star Patient Survey Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We have also been recognized as a Chartis Top 100 Critical Access Hospital and Top Hospital in Iowa. Our Care Center has received the LeadingAge Excellence in Workplace Award, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive environment for both residents and employees. Beyond our organization, you'll find an outstanding community to call home. Sioux County was ranked #4 in the nation among the Healthiest Communities by U.S. News & World Report and CVS Health, reflecting the high quality of life and strong community values that make this region a great place to live, work, and grow.

This position is eligible for a $10,000 Retention Bonus for Full Time.

Summary The Head Cook provides quality and appetizing, prepared and presented menu items for patient/resident, employee/visitor, and catered meals. Provides exceptional care and service to patients, residents, guests and fellow employees at all times. Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods. This position also performs numerous food service activities to meet cleanliness standards and regulations.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificate, Licenses, Registrations

This position requires a valid driver’s license and must carry their own automobile liability insurance.

Essential Functions

• Is responsible for being the head cook for the specific meal/meals of their shift.
• Provides training and leadership to other cooks and staff in the neighborhoods.
• Prepares various menu items keeping the ingredients and finished items within proper temperature ranges for food safety.
• Prepares foods according to IDDSI standards and resident diet plan.
• Prepares meats and casseroles bringing them to proper temperatures for food safety.
• Cools down leftovers properly to reach appropriate temperatures within specified timeframe.
• Labels and dates all ingredients and food items.
• Maintains overall kitchen cleaning list duties assigned to self and staff.
• Uses leftovers cost effectively, wisely and safely.
• Discards any outdates or questionable items.
• Monitors temperatures of freezers and refrigerators when going in and out of them daily and report any problems to the Supervisor.
• Assist the manager and assistant managers in training new cooks/staff in food sanitation and kitchen safety.
• Serves as resource and support to the neighborhoods.
• Assists assistant supervisors in checking in and putting away freight.
• Uses food service chemicals for safety and effectiveness.
• Knowledge of location and use of Material Safety Data sheets.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

At Avera, the way you are treated as an employee translates into the compassionate care you deliver to patients and team members. Because we consider health care a ministry, you can live out your faith, uphold the dignity and respect of all persons while not compromising high-quality services. Join us in making a positive impact on moving health forward.