Cook | North Shore Medical Center

Trayline Cook

The Trayline Cook at Lemontree Healthcare is responsible for preparing, assembling, and delivering meals on the trayline to ensure that all dietary and nutritional needs of patients are met. The role requires collaboration with kitchen staff, dietitians, and nursing teams to provide high-quality, nutritious meals that meet dietary restrictions and preferences. This position plays a key role in delivering excellent patient care through the provision of safe, nutritious, and appealing meals.

Job Type: Full-time Schedule: Monday-Friday and every other weekend Rotating Shift: 5:00am-1:30pm & 9:00am-5:30pm

Key Responsibilities:

• Meal Preparation: Prepare and cook food according to standardized recipes, ensuring that all meals are prepared in compliance with food safety regulations, dietary restrictions, and nutritional requirements.
• Tray-line Assembly: Assemble patient meal trays efficiently and accurately, ensuring that the correct meals are provided to the right patients, based on their dietary preferences and restrictions. This includes portioning, garnishing, and packaging meals appropriately.
• Food Safety & Sanitation: Follow all safety and sanitation protocols, including proper food handling, storage, and cleanliness of kitchen equipment and work areas. Maintain a clean and organized tray-line station at all times.
• Dietary Compliance: Work closely with the dietitian and nursing staff to ensure that meals align with patient dietary requirements, including special diets (e.g., low-sodium, low-sugar, gluten-free).
• Quality Control: Monitor the quality, temperature, and appearance of food served, ensuring that meals are aesthetically appealing and meet Lemontree Healthcare's standards of excellence.
• Inventory Management: Assist with the inventory of food items, ensuring that all necessary ingredients and supplies are available for meal preparation. Communicate any shortages or issues with inventory to the culinary services manager.
• Communication: Collaborate with kitchen staff, dietitians, and other departments to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of meals. Communicate effectively to resolve any meal-related issues.
• Trayline Operation: Ensure that trays are accurately assembled and distributed in a timely manner, while adhering to patient-specific meal schedules. Help maintain the flow of the trayline and ensure all trays are sent to patients promptly.
• Adherence to Policies: Follow all company policies, including those related to attendance, punctuality, and uniform guidelines. Comply with HIPAA regulations to maintain patient confidentiality.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Previous experience in a hospital, healthcare, or institutional kitchen environment is preferred. Experience in food preparation or trayline assembly is a plus.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Food Safety Certification (ServSafe) or similar certification is preferred.
• Skills and Abilities: Strong knowledge of food safety practices and health regulations. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail. Ability to follow detailed instructions and dietary guidelines. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to work as part of a team and independently. Physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift up to [X] pounds.
• Attributes: Compassionate, patient-focused, and committed to providing high-quality service. Dependable and punctual, with a strong work ethic. Detail-oriented with an eye for presentation and quality.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, twist, and carry food items as required.
• Must be able to work in a hot, fast-paced kitchen environment.

Working Conditions:

• This position requires working in a healthcare kitchen environment.
• Must adhere to health and safety standards, including wearing appropriate protective equipment (PPE) as needed.
• Flexibility in working hours may be required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, based on the facility's schedule.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Insurance
• 401k
• Paid time-off
• Paid holidays
• Referral program

Lemontree Healthcare policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Lemontree are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual's capabilities, qualifications, training, experience, and suitability.