Here is a polished, recruitment-ready Job Description for Westgate Gardens Care Center:
Cook - Full-Time

Westgate Gardens Care Center
Pay Range: $17.48-$17.58 per hour (BOE)
Position Summary

Westgate Gardens Care Center is seeking a Full-Time Cook to prepare nutritious, appetizing meals for our residents in accordance with planned menus, physician orders, and dietary guidelines.

The Cook is responsible for managing and operating the kitchen in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor and ensuring food service operations meet regulatory and sanitation standards. This position reports directly to the Dietary Supervisor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain the kitchen and cooking areas in a safe, clean, orderly, and sanitary manner.
• Prepare and cook a variety of foods in large quantities according to standardized recipes and menu plans.
• Follow prepared menus and portion control guides accurately.
• Prepare and serve therapeutic and modified diets, including pureed foods, as required.
• Record and monitor food temperatures for all meals.
• Maintain proper quaternary sanitizer solution levels in sanitation buckets.
• Assist with meal service as needed.
• Clean cooking areas, equipment, and serving carts after meal service.
• Ensure all cleaning schedules are completed and documented.
• Present food in an appealing manner to promote resident satisfaction.
• Work cooperatively and harmoniously with all departments.
• Report resident concerns or issues to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing.
• Participate in the orientation and ongoing training of dietary staff.
• Supervise dietary personnel in the absence of the Dietary Supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has supervisory responsibilities when the Dietary Supervisor is not present.
Qualifications
Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum one (1) year experience as a cook in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or long-term care setting preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to read and follow technical procedures and standardized recipes.
• Strong understanding of portion control and therapeutic diets.
• Ability to communicate effectively with managers and team members.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions and proportions to food preparation.
• Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written or verbal instructions.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must obtain and maintain a valid ServSafe Certification.
• Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred.
• Must remain in good standing with the Department of Public Health.

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require:

• Frequent standing and walking.
• Occasional sitting.
• Frequent reaching, pushing, pulling, talking, hearing, tasting, and smelling.
• Frequent lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Visual abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception with the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This position operates within a skilled nursing facility dietary department. The work environment is typically low to moderate in noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Additional Information

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. This description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Westgate Gardens Care Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.