Cook; Healthcare

Cook (Healthcare) – Kempsville Center For Behavioral Health

Norfolk, VA – Full‑time position. Salary range: $1,000.00–$1,400.00. Flexible schedule between 5:00 AM and 7:00 PM, with weekend availability required.

Reporting to the Dietary and Food Services Manager, the Dietary Associate is responsible for preparing healthy and appealing food items for residents, staff and guests. The role includes managing food production, maintaining sanitation and safety standards, and supporting the therapeutic environment of the facility.

• Prepares food items as dictated by the weekly menu, special functions, and resident or staff requests.
• Observes all health department and facility policies for safe cooking, handling, storing, identifying, and serving foods in strict compliance with regulations.
• Maintains department sanitation and health standards, exceeding regulatory requirements and following HACCP principles.
• Prepares and replenishes food on the serving line; stocks utensils, disposables and condiments after each meal.
• Plans production to manage overages and shortages; efficiently uses leftovers; places orders at specified par levels and keeps accurate inventory.
• Communicates effectively with staff and residents in a therapeutic manner and champions dialogue to address concerns.
• Serves as a role model for patients residents to observe and learn socially effective values, attitudes and behaviors, demonstrating service excellence.
• Interprets facility and departmental policies and works cohesively toward organizational objectives.

• Knowledge of basic food service in a hospital or restaurant setting (ingredients, measurement, food preparation, serving standards).
• Strong reading, writing and follow‑instruction skills.
• Ability to disassemble, assemble, operate, and clean food service equipment.
• Must have a valid Food Handlers Card or Safe Serve Certification before the start date.
• High school education or equivalent preferred, or a combination of knowledge, skills, experience and abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel) preferred.
• Ability to handle multiple competing tasks with minimal supervision and take initiative.
• Reliability in arriving on time for work each day.
• Commitment to service excellence in attitude and disposition toward staff and patients.
• 21 years or older.

Flexible, with availability between 5:00 AM and 7:00 PM, including weekend duties.

• Competitive salary with opportunities for advancement.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, short‑ and long‑term disability benefits.
• UHS Retirement Savings Plan.
• Stock Purchase Plan.
• Generous paid time off (PTO).

Founded in 1986, the 82‑bed facility (accredited by The Joint Commission, licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services) provides acute, residential, and partial hospitalization treatment for children and teens with behavioral and mental health concerns.

Entry level

Full‑time

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal‑opportunity employers and openly support recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Recruitment is handled by the Human Resources departments and recruiters. No recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) via email. Contact us securely for any concerns:  or 1-800‑852‑3449.