Healthcare Dietary Cook

Job Description

Job Description

Healthcare Dietary Cook –St. James, MO
KVC Missouri | St. James, MO
Pay Range: $15.00-$17.00 per hour

KVC Missouri is seeking a dependable, compassionate, and service-oriented Healthcare Dietary Cook to join our St. James team. This role is responsible for preparing nutritious, high-quality meals in a structured healthcare and residential environment serving children and youth.

Our Dietary Services team plays an essential role in creating a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment. The ideal candidate brings experience in high-volume or institutional food service and understands the importance of consistency, sanitation, teamwork, and reliability in a healthcare setting.

This is not a fast-food environment. We are looking for professionals who take pride in preparing meals that support health, comfort, and daily stability for the individuals we serve.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve nutritious meals in accordance with standardized recipes, nutrition guidelines, portion standards, and food safety regulations 
• Perform food preparation, batch cooking, baking, and meal production in a commercial kitchen environment 
• Follow DESE nutrition standards, ServSafe practices, sanitation procedures, and infection-control expectations 
• Maintain meal quality, timing, temperature logs, and kitchen cleanliness standards 
• Assist with menu preparation, inventory management, receiving deliveries, and stock rotation 
• Support meal service operations for residents, staff, and special events as needed 
• Maintain accurate food storage, labeling, and sanitation documentation 
• Work collaboratively with residential, nursing, and operations staff to support a positive dining experience 
• Ensure dependable attendance and punctuality to support uninterrupted meal service operations 
• Maintain a calm, professional demeanor in a fast-paced healthcare and residential setting 

What We’re Looking For

• High School Diploma or GED required 
• Minimum 1 year of experience in food service, commercial kitchens, cafeteria, healthcare dietary, school nutrition, senior living, or other institutional cooking environments preferred 
• Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, residential treatment, high-volume meal production, or working with children and adolescents is preferred
• ServSafe Certification preferred (or willingness to obtain within designated timeframe) 
• Ability to safely operate kitchen equipment, follow food safety and sanitation standards, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 40 pounds 
• Dependable attendance, reliable transportation, and a strong work ethic required 
• Successful candidates are team-oriented, respectful, detail-focused, and comfortable working in a structured healthcare environment while following standardized recipes and production expectations 
• We’re looking for compassionate professionals who understand the important role food service plays in supporting health, comfort, and wellbeing 

Schedule Expectations

• Flexible scheduling may be available based on operational needs 
• Weekend, holiday, and rotating shift availability may be required 
• Consistent attendance is essential to maintaining quality meal service for our residents and patients 

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Licensure and Certification Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Benefits, including mental health resources and health screenings

About KVC Missouri

KVC Missouri is part of KVC Health Systems, a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and improving the lives of children and youth.

Our Columbia team is committed to creating a supportive, therapeutic environment where every individual feels safe, respected, and cared for. Dietary Services is a vital part of that mission.

Our culture of compassion, teamwork, and employee support has earned KVC an 83 Work Wellbeing Score on Indeed, placing us among the top 1% of employers nationwide.

If you are looking for meaningful work in a stable, team-oriented healthcare environment where your contributions truly matter, we encourage you to apply.