Job Description

The Prep Cook supports Cumberland Heights’ mission of providing the highest quality care possible in a cost-effective manner for persons and families who are at risk for or who are suffering from the disease of chemical dependency. Treatment encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions of recovery by offering a safe, loving and healing environment, combining professional excellence and the principles of the Twelve Steps.

The Prep Cook is responsible for the preparation of three planned daily nutritional meals for patients, staff and visitors. This position is also responsible for the daily operation of the Food Services area in the absence of the Director.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Complies with the nutritional and dietary needs of the patients established by the Director Food Services.
• Complies strictly with all local and state health requirements on sanitation and safe handling and storage of food.
• Prepares food for any patient ordered by doctor or dietician, or because of religious or vegetarian preference.
• Oversees work of others on weekends.
• Ensures that a welcoming, safe and healing environment is maintained for each patient and family throughout the continuum of care.
• Assists Director and Chefs with all food and meal preparation.
• Adheres to directions for recipes and proper knife skills desired for all products and execution.
• Maintains a tidy, clean and sanitized working space.
• Ensures equipment is maintained, cleaned and ready to use for next application.
• Helps to plate, cook and restock meal items throughout service.
• Helps with food orders/stocking all food service areas and clearly vocalizes any needs for product.
• Wipes down prep areas between tasks and at the end of every shift.
• Organizes walk-in cooler and freezer daily.
• Can accept daily changes or adjustments and maintains a consistent and efficient speed during prep.
• Can work in a fast paced, physically demanding and quickly changing environment.
• Can work through ever changing work environment temperature adjustments throughout the seasons.
• Cleans deep fryer, filters oil and disposes of old oil product.
• Acts as a food runner or dishwasher when needed.
• Asks questions when uncertain of how to execute a function.
• Follows all safety precautions
• Records all temperature logs two times daily for all refrigeration areas.
• Reacts positively to change.
• Helps to consider ways to improve or progress the quality of their position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

Requirements

JOB SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of two (2) years experience in food service operation and/or equivalent culinary or trade school education
• Experience with cutlery and commercial kitchen equipment
• Completion of Metro health department food handlers safety and sanitation course is required.
• Ability to problem-solve, analyze, and interpret information.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and patient needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be open and culturally sensitive to a wide variety of patients’ care issues.
• Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively speak, read and write in English.
• Ability to interact with co-workers in a collaborative and courteous manner while providing guidance, instruction, and training.
• If recovering, one year of verifiable abstinence required with active participation in an appropriate twelve-step program preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position is in a kitchen setting that involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions, often at temperatures greater than normal.
• Position requires frequent contact with people in crisis, including those who are emotionally volatile and may require additional safety precautions.
• Position is subject to varying shifts, including weekends as well as staying overnight for inclement weather as part of critical staffing.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs and/or push pull up to 100 lbs. multiple times a day.
• Ability to speak, hear, see, sit, walk, stand, reach, climb, balance stoop, kneel, crouch, etc. multiple times per day; move around campus on uneven and rural terrain.

HIPAA CLEARANCE