Food Service Assistant (Cook)

JOB SUMMARY

The Food Service Assistant is responsible for assisting in the planning, monitoring, coordination of menu development and food preparation for the respective Home site. This individual must be able to effectively communicate both in written and oral form. The Food Service Assistant works with the Food Service Coordinator to assist the Team Leader of BeeHive Homes in the evaluation of operational performance, quality of service, and delivery and competitiveness with other area facilities. This person must have excellent time management skills, and a "Team" mindset. This individual must be highly organized and possess outstanding interpersonal skills with a high level of energy and enthusiasm. The Food Service Assistant must be a firm decision maker, taking into consideration the impact of his/her decision on the overall facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Food Service Assistant reports to the Team Leader of BeeHive Homes. The Food Service Assistant is responsible for carrying out the primary duties of food preparation as outlined by the Administrator of BeeHive Homes. These essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations in dealing with employees, residents, residents' families, visitors, and co-workers in a professional, confidential manner.

• Initiate and participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities based on the four components of quality assurance: Quality, Service, Friendliness, and Cleanliness.

• Demonstrate the ability to embrace and project the values of the facility: safety, trust, and respect, teamwork, partnership and service, compassion, integrity, efficiency, and financial responsibility.

• Provide informative written and oral correspondence to the Manager of BeeHive Homes and act in an advisory capacity on all food service issues.

• Communicate accurate and pertinent information to facilitate efficient and optimal resident nutrition.
• Oversee the dietary and food service performance of the facility.
• Assist in ensuring and maintaining the standards and objectives for safe food handling.
• Apply problem solving and conflict resolution skills where needed.
• Work to establish a group culture to enable BeeHire Homes to function as a "whole."

Dietary

• Prepare nutritious, well-prepared and presented meals on a timely and consistent basis in accordance with
  written menu, approved recipes, special diet requirements, and number of persons served.
• Ensure food, food preparation, equipment, and storage areas are maintained in accordance with sanitation
  requirements.
• Serve food according to dietary guidelines, checking for completeness and accurateness of the food served.
• Review residents' diet information and care plans and discuss with Team Leader, and communicate special
  instructions/needs with care team members.
• Facilitate servicing with appropriate portions, and communicating portions with care team members.
• Assist the Food Service Coordinator in maintaining sufficient inventory as specified by state licensure bureau.
• Stock and store food items as specified by state licensure bureau.
• Ensure all cookware, dishes, and appliances are cleaned and maintained according to protocol.

Regulatory and Legal

• Ensure compliance to policies related to safe food handling and infection control. : Bring to the attention of BeeHive Homes Food Service Coordinator / Team Leader any deficiencies that may arise and correct as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with respect to risk management; death, the dying and the aging process; fire safety;
  disaster preparedness; residents' rights; and grievance procedures.
• Assist during a state survey or other in-house inspection of records as necessary.

Financial Management

• Take corrective action when administration indicates budget concerns exist.

Facility Management

• Ensure optimal maintenance of the kitchen, dining room, and equipment.
• Assist the Food Service Coordinator in monitoring and maintaining food/supply inventory.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification

• 18 years of age.
• One year of experience in Food Industry preferred.
• Successful completion of BeeHive Homes training program.

Skills/Abilities
• Knowledge of the assisted living care industry.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Decisive, well-informed, decision-maker.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• Capacity to work effectively with different types of people.
• Ability to work efficiently and complete projects under pressure with time constraints.
• Ability to calmly handle stressful situations.
• Demonstrate organizational capabilities.
• Knowledge of food safety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience in the food service industry.
• Well-rounded with developed outside interests

POSITION ENVIRONMENT

This position requires the ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals. Physical demands include moving boxes, light equipment and supplies, and operating kitchen equipment. Lifting, on a regular basis, up to twenty-five pounds, is required. Occasional lifting and carrying of items up to fifty pounds is also required. Standing, for long periods of time, up to 2-4 hours per day, is required. Requires hearing to normal range and corrected vision. The Food Service Assistant facilitates and participates in menu planning on behalf of BeeHive Homes. This position is an exempt position under the FSLA and does require overtime in order to accomplish those duties outlined and to complete projects. Occasional stress related to multiple responsibilities.

Daily Duties of Food Service Team

• Cook and prepare food according to dietician approved menu
• Be aware of all resident food allergies
• Follow recipe's from dietician approved menu and document all changes and menu substitutions in appropriate log
• Help serve food at meal times
• Make weekly shopping list of groceries/kitchen supplies that are needed. (Coordinator)
• Rotate in fridge, freezer, and pantry
• Label all leftovers and use them before expiration date
• Take out garbage at end of shift
• Sweep and mop floors as needed to maintain clean and safe working environment
• Prepare food to meet special dietary needs as outlined in Resident Care Plan
• Prepare and have made available snacks for all residents
• Wash all dishes used in food preparation and service
• Maintain cleanliness of all kitchen equipment
• Ensure all work areas are clean and sanitary when preparing food
• Keep fridge, freezer, and pantry cleaned and sanitary
• When needed, assist other staff with resident needs or other dining area duties including monitoring residents in living and dining areas
• Take all kitchen laundry to appropriate hamper in laundry room

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Background check (BCI).