Cook

POSITION TITLE: Cook

DEPARTMENT: Dietary

REPORTS TO: Dining Service Director

POSITION SUMMARY:
The essential functions of the job for the Cook requires, and may be amended from time to time at the sole discretion of Viva Senior Living to include, but are not limited to the following:

Comply with standards of business conduct in accordance with federal, state, and local health and regulatory standards and guidelines, as applicable.

Must possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or a GED

Must be able to work well with peers in a congenial work environment, and above all, maintain the utmost compassion and dignity to the residents and adhere to the Resident Bill of Rights.

In exigent circumstances, the employee may be subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, temporary staffing shortages, etc.).

Must adhere to Viva Senior Living’s attendance policies and follow the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in the Employee Handbook.

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

Must maintain the highest standards in caring and servicing the needs of the residents and residents' family members and loved ones.

Must adhere to all facility policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES

Ensure that all menu items are prepared and served according to departmental policies and procedures.

Ensure that the presentation of all menu items adheres to established standards.

Prepare meals on menus and based on nutritional programs and individual plans.

Ensure the quality of meals regarding taste, presentation, and dietary requirements established by the Dining Service Director.

Ensure quality and safety of food by performing standard and any additional sanitary measures including sweeping of the floors, cleaning of surfaces, as well as proper covering and storage of food items according to standards and procedures.

Work at an efficient and consistent pace.

Ensure timely preparation of all meals.

Ensure that each resident receives meals corresponding to their dietary requirements.

Ensure that the correct quantities are prepared to meet daily needs.

Utilize kitchen equipment during food preparation.

Always stay productive and prepare for future needs as time allows.

Demonstrate flexibility, volunteering to fill open shifts as required by variations in staffing.

Follow proper reporting procedures for accidents and incidents to ensure follow-up and prevention.

Adhere to all regulations including blood-borne pathogens, infection control, use of hazardous materials, and fire safety.

Ensure that all food and other departmental supplies are ordered and received in a timely manner so that adequate inventory levels are maintained to support volume or anticipated volume.

Assist with the training of new employees.

Serve food in the proper portion size and at the proper temperature.

Report any infraction in the food services department policies and procedures.

Arrive to your workstation at the scheduled time.

Perform other related duties as required.

Ensures that residents and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals’ needs and rights.

Report any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.

Report work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to your supervisor.

As a condition of employment, complete all assigned training and skills of competency.

Participate in all life safety and emergency drills and training sessions.

Fulfill responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility’s emergency plan.

Assists with evacuation of residents during an emergency.

Maintain confidentiality of Protected Health Information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.

Report non-compliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel.

Protect residents from abuse and cooperate with all investigations.

Report any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or administrator.

Report any retaliation or discrimination to the Regional Business Office Manager and the VP of Human Resources.

Fulfill individual responsibility to report any suspicion of a crime to law enforcement and the state agency.

Other duties may be required per the state regulations.

Must adhere to scheduled shifts assigned by the Executive Director or Supervisor.

ANNUAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Must provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
(With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, agitated residents.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF JOB DESCRIPTION:
I understand that because of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants, and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I further understand that I may also be exposed to the Hepatitis B and AIDS Viruses and TB, and that the facility will make available to me, free of charge, the hepatitis B vaccination. I also understand that I may not release/disclose protected health or facility information without proper authorization.

I hereby acknowledge receipt of Viva Senior Living’s Job Description. I understand that it is my continuing responsibility to read and know its contents. I also understand and agree that the Job Description is not an employment contract for any specific period of employment or for continuing or long‐term employment. Therefore, I acknowledge and understand that unless I have a written employment agreement with Viva Senior Living that provides otherwise, I have the right to resign from my employment with Viva Senior Living at any time with or without notice and with or without cause, and that Viva Senior Living has the right to terminate my employment at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.

I understand this job description and its requirements; I understand that this is not an exclusive list of the job functions and that I am expected to complete all duties as assigned; I understand the job functions may be altered by management without notice; I understand that this job description in no way constitutes an employment agreement and that I am an at-will employee.

Employee Signature: ______________________________ Date: _____________________

Supervisor Signature: _____________________________ Date: _____________________