Dietary Cook

Job Details: Job Location: Bellevue Post Acute - Bellevue, WA, Salary Range: $20.00 - $23.00Hourly, Cook - Bellevue Post-Acute | Bellevue, WA

Join our dedicated Dietary Services team in providing nutritious, appealing, and compassionate meal service to residents in our skilled nursing facility. The Cook plays an important role in supporting resident health, dignity, comfort, and quality of life by preparing meals that meet daily nutritional needs as well as special dietary requirements.

The Cook prepares meals according to established menus, recipes, diet orders, and facility policies while ensuring food is prepared and served at the proper temperature and time. This position works closely with the Dietary Services Supervisor and kitchen staff to efficiently manage food preparation, supplies, equipment, sanitation, and meal service in compliance with applicable county, state, and federal regulations.

Reporting: This position reports directly to the Dietary Services Supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare palatable, attractive, and nutritionally adequate meals in institutional quantities according to census, menu cycles, recipes, and resident diet types.
Follow recipes and menus prepared or approved by the Dietitian and adjust food quantities as needed to prevent over- or under-production.
Ensure meals are prepared and served at the proper temperature and at the scheduled meal times.
Prepare food substitutes to accommodate resident choices and cultural, ethnic, religious, and special dietary preferences.
Supervise kitchen staff assisting with food preparation, tray assembly, cleaning, and storage of supplies and equipment.
Maintain clean and sanitary food preparation and service areas throughout the shift and between tasks.
Use food supplies, ingredients, and equipment efficiently and economically to minimize waste.
Participate in inventory, ordering, receiving, and proper storage of food and dietary supplies.
Inspect meal trays following service to monitor resident acceptance of menu items and report findings to the Dietary Services Supervisor.
Operate food preparation equipment according to manufacturer instructions and follow required cleaning and preventative maintenance procedures.
Handle, store, and dispose of food and prepared meals in accordance with facility policies and applicable regulations.
Follow infection control, food safety, sanitation, universal precautions, and personal protective equipment requirements.
Follow facility procedures for resident trays requiring special handling.
Inspect food service areas for pests, safety or fire hazards, housekeeping concerns, and maintenance problems; correct issues when appropriate and report concerns promptly.
Communicate regularly with the Dietary Services Supervisor and other staff to ensure residents' nutritional and dietary needs are met.
Assist with preparation for county, state, and federal inspections and participate in required survey training.
Attend assigned in-service education and apply training to daily job responsibilities.
Immediately report injuries, unsafe conditions, hazardous situations, or other concerns to the appropriate Supervisor or Administrator.
Maintain work areas in a neat, organized, and clean condition.
Respect and protect the rights, dignity, individuality, and confidentiality of every resident.
Perform other duties as assigned.

What We’re Looking For : Education and Certification

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
ServSafe Certification preferred.

Experience

At least one year of experience cooking in a commercial kitchen or healthcare dietary department preferred.
Working knowledge of food handling, preparation, storage, sanitation, and food safety practices.
Basic knowledge of nutrition and diet management for regular, modified, and therapeutic diets.

Qualifications and Skills

Ability to read and follow menus, recipes, tray tickets, substitution lists, labels, and written and verbal instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, and outside agencies.
Exceptional communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
Empathetic and respectful approach to working with residents, including older adults and individuals with cognitive or physical impairments.
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to work with units of weight and volume.
Ability to prioritize responsibilities and complete tasks within established timeframes.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and take on additional responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures and ability to respond appropriately to emergency instructions.
Ability to comply with facility policies regarding attendance, punctuality, dress code, workplace safety, infection control, and hazardous materials.
Commitment to maintaining resident confidentiality and demonstrating honesty and integrity in all duties.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation without posing a current, substantial risk to the health or safety of oneself or others.

Physical Requirements

Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and stooping.
Sufficient mobility and strength to safely navigate the facility and respond appropriately during emergencies.
Ability to see and hear adequately, with or without assistive devices, to perform essential job duties.
Ability to cope with the mental and emotional demands associated with a 24-hour skilled care environment.
Must meet applicable facility health requirements, including annual TB screening and physical examination.

Work Environment

This position is primarily performed indoors in a healthcare and skilled nursing environment. Working conditions may include normal to above-normal temperatures, kitchen noise, fumes and odors, chemical exposure, and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

The position involves working in an intimate, 24-hour skilled care environment serving residents who may have physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and complex care needs. Employees may encounter emergency situations, unusual or impaired resident behaviors, family concerns, state and federal surveyors, consultants, attorneys, medical staff, and the emotional aspects associated with aging, illness, death, and dying. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a dependable, compassionate, and team-oriented Cook who takes pride in preparing high-quality meals and understands the important role nutrition plays in resident health and quality of life. The ideal candidate is organized, safety-conscious, attentive to detail, and committed to treating every resident with dignity and respect.

How to Apply

Click Apply and complete the online application form.

Please ensure you:

Answer all application questions.
Upload your resume and any relevant certifications or documents.
Provide accurate employment and experience information.

We look forward to reviewing your application and welcoming a dedicated Cook to our Dietary Services team!