Cook Assistant

Pay: Starts at $17.50 (DSP Certified and Food Service Handlers Certified gets bumped to $20.25.)

Position Summary

The Cook Assistant supports the preparation and service of safe, nutritious, and appealing meals for individuals living in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD). The position follows approved menus, individualized dietary plans, sanitation standards, and facility policies while promoting dignity, choice, and a respectful home environment.Essential Job Duties

• Assist with preparing, cooking, portioning, and serving meals and snacks according to approved menus and scheduled meal times.
• Follow each resident’s physician- or dietitian-ordered diet, including texture modifications, portion limits, allergies, food intolerances, and other documented restrictions.
• Measure ingredients and use standardized recipes to support consistent quality, nutrition, and portion control.
• Prepare modified-texture foods and thickened beverages exactly as directed, using designated equipment and procedures.
• Check food appearance, taste, temperature, and portion size before service; record required temperatures and meal information accurately.
• Set up dining areas, meal trays, serving stations, and adaptive dining equipment as directed.
• Support residents during meals within assigned training and care-plan guidance, encouraging independence, choice, dignity, and appropriate mealtime routines.
• Observe and promptly report concerns such as swallowing difficulty, choking risk, refusal to eat, poor intake, allergic reaction, illness, or changes in eating habits to the nurse or supervisor.
• Wash dishes, utensils, cookware, food-contact surfaces, appliances, and kitchen areas; complete assigned cleaning and sanitation schedules.
• Store, label, date, rotate, thaw, cool, and reheat food safely; discard expired, contaminated, or improperly stored items according to policy.
• Receive and put away food and supplies, rotate stock using first-in, first-out practices, and report shortages or damaged products.
• Maintain an organized kitchen, pantry, refrigerator, freezer, and dining area; keep exits and work areas free of hazards.
• Use kitchen equipment safely and report malfunctions, injuries, spills, pest concerns, or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Assist with menu substitutions only when authorized and document changes as required.
• Follow infection-control practices, including proper hand hygiene, glove use, illness reporting, and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Maintain resident privacy and confidentiality and communicate respectfully with residents, families, coworkers, and visitors.
• Participate in required training, staff meetings, emergency drills, and quality-improvement activities.
• Perform other food-service and household duties assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the position and the needs of the home.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow facility policies, resident care plans, food-safety requirements, sanitation procedures, and applicable ICF/DD regulations.
• Use required personal protective equipment and safe lifting, cutting, cooking, and chemical-handling practices.
• Follow emergency procedures for fire, severe weather, power outage, food contamination, choking, and other urgent situations.
• Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, rights violations, or other reportable incidents according to law and facility policy.
• Do not make independent changes to prescribed diets, feeding instructions, or resident support plans.

General Qualifications and Expectations

• Ability to read and follow menus, recipes, labels, diet orders, safety instructions, and cleaning schedules.
• Basic knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, portion control, and prevention of foodborne illness; required food-handler certification must be maintained.
• Ability to communicate clearly, work cooperatively, maintain confidentiality, and interact respectfully with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays when scheduled.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and safely bend, reach, push, pull, and lift items within the facility’s established physical requirements, with reasonable accommodation when applicable.
• Completion of required background checks, health screenings, orientation, and ongoing training.

Pay: $17.50 - $20.25 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Have you worked for Penta Nascent, Kaskaskia Workshop, or Bryan Manor before?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Food Handler Certification (Preferred)
• DSP Certified (Preferred)

Work Location: In person