Join the Mountain View Team
At Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation, meals are about much more than nutrition. For our residents, mealtime is an important part of their daily routine, comfort, social connection, and quality of life.
We are looking for a dependable and caring Dietary Cook who takes pride in preparing great food and wants their work to make a difference. As a member of our Dietary Department, you'll help prepare meals that are enjoyable, nutritious, and appropriate for the individual needs and preferences of the residents we serve.
We're looking for someone who can work well as part of a team, maintain a clean and organized kitchen, and understand that even the smallest details can have a meaningful impact on our residents.
Position Summary
The Dietary Cook is responsible for preparing and serving meals in accordance with planned menus, standardized recipes, resident preferences, therapeutic diet orders, and applicable food-safety requirements.
The Cook works closely with the Dietary Manager, dietary staff, nursing staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to ensure residents receive safe, accurate, appealing, and enjoyable meals.
This position also assists with maintaining a clean, sanitary, and organized kitchen and may provide direction and support to Dietary Aides during meal preparation and service.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesFood Preparation & Cooking
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and other food items according to established menus and production schedules.
- Follow standardized recipes, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
- Prepare meals that are attractive, appetizing, and served at appropriate temperatures.
- Prepare therapeutic and special diets according to resident diet orders.
- Prepare texture-modified foods, including minced and moist and pureed foods, according to facility procedures and resident orders.
- Prepare thickened liquids and other modified beverages when required.
- Follow approved substitutions when menu items are unavailable.
- Taste and evaluate food for quality, appearance, temperature, and consistency before service.
- Coordinate food preparation to ensure meals are ready and served on time.
- Prepare snacks, nourishments, supplements, and other items as assigned.
Resident Diet Accuracy & Safety
- Review diet information and meal tickets/tray cards to ensure meals are prepared according to each resident's current diet order.
- Follow prescribed therapeutic diets, food allergies, intolerances, texture modifications, and liquid consistencies.
- Never independently modify a resident's prescribed diet or consistency.
- Immediately report discrepancies or questions regarding resident diet orders to the appropriate supervisor or nursing staff.
- Follow procedures designed to prevent food-allergy exposure and cross-contact.
- Maintain resident dignity, preferences, and cultural considerations whenever possible.
Food Safety & Sanitation
- Follow applicable federal, state, local, and facility food-safety and sanitation requirements.
- Maintain proper food temperatures during preparation, cooking, holding, service, cooling, and storage.
- Complete required temperature and food-safety documentation accurately and timely.
- Properly label, date, store, and rotate food products.
- Follow FIFO (First In, First Out) practices when appropriate.
- Prevent cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.
- Maintain proper hand hygiene and glove use.
- Clean and sanitize food preparation surfaces, equipment, utensils, and work areas.
- Maintain refrigerators, freezers, dry-storage areas, and kitchen workspaces in a clean and organized condition.
- Follow established procedures for leftovers and food disposal.
- Immediately report equipment malfunctions, food-safety concerns, pest concerns, or sanitation issues.
Kitchen & Meal Service Operations
- Assist with setting up and organizing meal service.
- Ensure appropriate portions are served according to menus and resident needs.
- Coordinate with Dietary Aides to promote accurate and timely meal service.
- Assist with tray-line operations and dining-room service as needed.
- Monitor food quantities and communicate anticipated shortages to the Dietary Manager.
- Assist with receiving, storing, and rotating food and dietary supplies.
- Minimize unnecessary food waste while ensuring adequate portions and resident satisfaction.
- Assist with cleaning and dishwashing responsibilities when necessary.
- Maintain an organized and safe kitchen environment throughout the shift.
Resident-Centered Service
- Treat residents with dignity, kindness, patience, and respect.
- Respond appropriately to resident food preferences and concerns.
- Communicate resident meal concerns or significant changes in eating patterns to the appropriate staff.
- Help create a positive dining experience for residents.
- Recognize that resident satisfaction is an important component of quality care.
Teamwork & Communication
- Work cooperatively with the Dietary Manager, Dietary Aides, nursing staff, and other departments.
- Communicate effectively during shift changes regarding food preparation, supplies, resident needs, and outstanding tasks.
- Assist coworkers when necessary to ensure meals are served safely and on time.
- Participate in dietary meetings, education, and in-service training as required.
- Maintain professional and respectful communication with residents, families, coworkers, and visitors.
Qualifications
- Previous cooking experience preferred.
- Experience in healthcare, long-term care, assisted living, institutional food service, restaurant, or commercial kitchen environments is preferred but not necessarily required.
- Knowledge of basic cooking techniques and food-safety practices.
- Ability to follow recipes, menus, diet instructions, and production schedules.
- Ability to understand and follow therapeutic diet and texture-modification instructions.
- Ability to read, write, communicate, and follow written and verbal instructions.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality.
- Must meet applicable facility, state, and federal employment requirements.
- Must complete required food-safety, infection-control, resident-rights, and facility training.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
