Cook

Cook

Location: Boone, North Carolina | Full-time | Non-Exempt

Why You'll Love Working Here

As a Cook at UNC Health Appalachian, you'll play an essential role in nourishing patients, visitors, and staff by preparing high-quality meals in a clean, safe, and well-organized environment. You'll follow established recipes and dietary standards while working with dietary staff and clinical teams to keep meal service timely.

This is an opportunity to support patient recovery and enhance the dining experience across our facilities while working alongside dedicated healthcare professionals in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Compensation: Starting at $16.45 /hour , based on education and experience

Schedule: Full-time; Shifts Vary

Benefits: Applicable benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA option; supplemental insurance options; 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; paid time off; tuition reimbursement/certification bonuses; paid parental leave; wellness incentives; may be eligible for childcare assistance; and employee discounts

Benefits Eligibility: Applicable benefits will begin on the first of the month following 60 days of employment.

What You'll Do as a Cook

• Prepare meals for patients, employees, and customers following established recipes, dietary standards, and sanitation guidelines.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety, and regulatory compliance in all food preparation areas.
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, dietary staff, and clinical teams to ensure timely meal service.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to emergent needs or changes in patient dietary status.
• Assist coworkers, patients, and visitors as needed within the scope of your role.
• Demonstrate professionalism and effective teamwork.
• Promote the mission, vision, and values of UNC Health Appalachian.

Qualifications/Licenses

• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred
• Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of institutional cooking experience required

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and remain calm under pressure.
• Knowledge of safe food-handling procedures and sanitation standards.
• Basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and nutrition-related software.

Physical & Work Environment

• Lift, push, pull, or carry up to and over 50 lbs.
• Prolonged standing and walking for 8+ hours per shift.
• Frequent bending, squatting, twisting, and reaching.
• Exposure to hot surfaces, steam, cleaning chemicals, and kitchen equipment.
• Exposure to slippery floors, uneven surfaces, and occasional undesirable conditions.
• Variable shifts, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts, as outlined in the schedule above.

What Sets Us Apart

Career Growth: Access to culinary training, supervisory pathways, and professional development through our Career Pathways Program.

Impactful Work: Prepare meals that directly support healing, nourishment, and positive experiences for patients and guests, as part of a mission-driven team committed to excellence, service, and compassionate care.

Community & Lifestyle: Located in Linville, North Carolina , UNC Health Appalachian offers the opportunity to live and work in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with access to outdoor adventure, arts and dining, and a warm mountain community.

Meaningful Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive insurance coverage, retirement benefits with employer match, paid time off, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and college savings resources, an award-winning wellness program, employee-to-employee financial assistance, and discounts to attractions such as Dollywood and Tweetsie Railroad.

Inclusive Culture: UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and is committed to creating a fair, inclusive hiring process and workplace where every team member is respected and valued.

Ready to Bring Your Culinary Skills to a Team That Makes a Difference Every Day?

Apply today to join UNC Health Appalachian as a Cook and help create nutritious, high-quality meals for our patients and community.

About UNC Health Appalachian

UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply "making life better."

About UNC Health

UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact View email address on click.appcast.io.