Cook

Overview

Employer paid benefits - Medical, Dental, and Vision. Employee and dependents.

Hourly Rate: $18.44 - $28.25

Day shift, variable schedule

40 Hours

USD $18.44/Hr. USD $28.25/Hr. 01-8050 Nutrition Services First Shift

The Hospital Cook is responsible for the safe, sanitary, and timely preparation of meals for patients, staff, and visitors in accordance with established standards, therapeutic diet requirements, and safety regulations. This includes preparing and serving meals for patients, cafeteria service, catering events, daycare meals, and staff/meeting functions. The Cook ensures food is prepared and presented according to recipes, temperature guidelines, and quality expectations while adhering to all safety, sanitation, and infection control protocols.

The role requires efficiency, adaptability, and the ability to contribute to a collaborative, patient-centered food service environment.

• Prepares hot and cold foods according to standardized recipes and production schedules.
• Ensures proper portion control and food presentation for all patient trays, cafeteria items, and catered functions.
• Adjusts recipes or preparation methods as needed based on available ingredients, patient needs, or service volumes, with approval from supervisor when necessary.
• Prepares therapeutic and modified consistency meals per diet office instructions, accurately following diet requirements.
• Follows all applicable food safety standards, including HACCP protocols, temperature logs, and safe food handling practices.
• Maintains cleanliness of food preparation areas, equipment, and utensils during and after use.
• Adheres to infection control procedures, including proper hand hygiene and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Ensures proper storage, labeling, and rotation of food items according to department policy and regulatory standards.
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with coworkers, supervisors, patients, and other departments.
• Collaborates with the kitchen team to ensure meal service is timely and efficient, adjusting tasks as needed to support service flow.
• Reports equipment malfunctions, food shortages, or unsafe conditions promptly to the appropriate supervisor.
• Accepts assignments from supervisors or shift leaders and adapts quickly to changes in workload or priorities.
• Maintains a calm and professional demeanor under pressure and during high-volume periods.
• Upholds patient confidentiality and demonstrates empathy and respect toward all individuals.
• Demonstrates punctuality and dependability; adheres to scheduled shifts and break times.
• Takes initiative in identifying and performing cleaning and prep tasks during downtime.
• Practices cost-conscious behavior by minimizing waste and using supplies efficiently.
• The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Required:

Must be able to speak and write English and demonstrate basic math skills.

Preferred:
Graduate from culinary school is preferred.

Licenses/ certifications/ registrations

Required:

A state of Oregon, Department of Health issued Food Handler's License. (Cooks working in the daycare kitchen require enrollment in Oregon State C )

Preferred: A diploma or certificate from a culinary school is preferred.

Experience

Required:

Previous scratch cooking experience is required. A thorough understanding of weights and measures and food science.

Preferred:
Cooking experience in quantity food service.

• Equipment, tools, and work aids:
  Dish machine, coffee maker, point of sale, food chopper, salamander, turbo chef, flame and flat top grill, steam jacketed kettle, tilt skillet, microwave oven, mixer, meat slicer, various choppers, steamer oven, combi-oven, convection oven, grill, knives, can opener, toaster, walk-in, reach-in, carts, trays, proofer, steam tables, blender, and other equipment necessary to successfully fulfill job requirements.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse population.

The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The position requires sufficient auditory…