SHIFT:  Varied, As Needed

The Cook is primarily responsible for preparation of entrees, vegetables, soups, cereals, sauces, fried items and other food serviced from the production area, deli, and grab and go. Other responsibilities include proper handling and storage of all food and sanitation of work the work area.  It is the goal to produce attractive, palatable, nutritious, and safe food to all our patients and customers.

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.  Here are just a few:      

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.   

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

• Demonstrates initiative to improve quality and customer service. 
• Produces all hot production food items delegated to him/her during a given shift and supports the production team related to ordering, producing, portioning, and assembling, to ensure timely departure of all hot food to all customers. 
• Appropriately handles and stores all food items in a safe, cost effective manner to ensure all state, local, and safety/sanitation measures are met; any deviations are reported to the F&N Supervisor or Manager.
• Records all food and equipment temperatures according to task list. 
• Ensures that equipment in the area is operational, properly maintained, used properly and safely, and is kept clean. 
• Accepts responsibility for maintaining and adhering to all recipes/ procedures prescribed in order to produce palatable, attractive and safe food to all customers; any deviations or adjustments are noted and discussed with the F&N Supervisor or Manager.
• Integrates and demonstrates Focus values and Expectations for Personal and Service Excellence to guide professional behaviors, while adhering to the policies and procedures of UnityPoint Health Des Moines. 
• Balance team and individual responsibilities; be open and objective to other’s views; give and welcome feedback; contribute to positive team goals; and put the success of the team above own interests. 
• Demonstrates the ability to meet the department work schedule. 
• Demonstrates the knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
• Trains employees according to Food and Nutrition Guidelines. 
• Maintains daily cleaning tasks and ensures they are completed.  
• This position may be assigned a specific mission to address in an emergency situation to assist in disaster response and recovery as part of the UPH-DM Hospital Emergency Incident Command System; situations of a critical nature may require an individual to perform multiple tasks until additional support can be obtained.
• Performs functions other than described due to extenuating circumstances. 
• Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.
• Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.
• Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.
• Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.
• Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.
• Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.  Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

Education:

High school education or equivalent.

Experience:

Two years cooking or food service experience and the ability to perform at the cook’s level within six months in this position. 

Licensure/Certification:

Valid driver’s license when driving any vehicle for work-related reasons.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Professionalism 

Communication – written and verbal 

Multicultural sensitivity

Customer/Patient focus

Must be able to communicate effectively with people of diverse professional, educational, and diverse lifestyle backgrounds

Use of usual and customary equipment used to perform essential functions of the position