Healthcare Cook

Cook Position

This is an Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) that will be used to fill multiple intermittent cook vacancies at the East Orange (EO) and Lyons facilities of the VA NJ Health Care System. Eligible candidates will be referred as long as vacancies are available. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Independently prepares and cooks a variety of items including regular and therapeutic diet (diabetic, low sodium, low protein, gluten free, etc.) entrees and dessert items

Follows menus, production sheets, and recipes to prepare items in the quantity needed

Grills eggs, meat patties, pancakes, French toast; broils meats; makes cold sandwich fillings and assembles a variety of sandwiches

Uses a variety of methods to prepare meats, fish, and poultry including broiling, roasting, baking, frying, boiling, steaming, stewing, braising, and grilling

Slices meat items by hand, confirming to specific size requirements or weight specifications

Prepares fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables; bakes frozen potatoes, pre-made cookie dough, and muffin batters

Prepares and heats convenience items, and prepares pureed foods and adjusts consistency with thickeners

Washes, peels, and cuts fruits and vegetables; assembles and mixes salad ingredients and dessert items, including gelatin molds and fruit crisps

Plans cooking processes to produce meals on time and at the proper temperature which may require coordination of cooking several items with different cooking times

Makes a variety of desserts such as cobblers, brownies, cookies, and pastries

Weighs, measures, and assembles ingredients for regular and modified diets

Operates a variety of kitchen equipment and follows appropriate safety procedures

Follows sanitary food handling procedures

Disassembles and reassembles equipment for cleaning

Cleans and sanitizes work areas, and performs deep cleaning tasks when needed

Operates industrial dish machine

Labels all food items with contents and dates per labeling guidelines.

Performs other related duties

Work Schedule: Intermittent, various tours available. To be discussed during the interview.

Position Description Title/PD#: Intermittent Cook/PD99818S

Physical Requirements: Subject to continuous standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling. Lifts or moves objects weighing up to 40 lbs. unassisted. Manipulates cumbersome and heavy objects, such as washing stainless steel mixing bowls, pushing heavy carts on caster, or operating heavy equipment. Manual dexterity needed to safely operate equipment and to handle sharp knives and blades. Hand-eye coordination and ability to concentrate and react quickly to serve food and operate equipment.

Working Conditions: Performs work in areas of temperature extremes. Work is carried out in kitchen/dish room areas that are often hot, uncomfortable, and noisy. Environment includes exposure to extreme cold while working in walk-in refrigerators and freezers for extended periods of time to complete duties. Works with other cooks, food service workers, and supervisors. Exposed to stems, cooking odors, and noise from equipment and conversation. Subject to hazards of cuts, bruises, strains, burns and falls in kitchen equipment. Strong cleaning and sanitizing solutions may be skin and respiratory irritants. Performs work in patient care settings where there may be exposure to contagious disease. May have contact with patients who demonstrate verbally and/or physically aggressive behavior. Required to wear proper hair covering and clean uniform. Wear disposable gloves when handling food for service, and proper protective equipment when completing cleaning activities.

US Department of Veterans Affairs