Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee wellness programs
Professional development opportunities
Employee assistance program
Job Description
Northwest Texas Healthcare System is a prominent 495-bed hospital system located in Amarillo, Texas, and serving the surrounding region. The system combines traditional healthcare values with the most advanced medical technologies to deliver exceptional patient care. Amarillo offers a unique blend of big city conveniences and a friendly, smaller-town atmosphere, making it a desirable place to live and work. Its surrounding natural beauty, such as Palo Duro Canyon, along with quality educational institutions and recreational facilities, enrich the life experience of healthcare professionals and residents alike. The healthcare system prides itself on a culture of personal excellence and exemplary patient care supported by dedicated professionals. As part of Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS), one of the largest and most respected hospital and healthcare service providers in the nation, Northwest Texas Healthcare System benefits from a strong legacy and comprehensive network. UHS operates a broad array of healthcare entities, including acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient centers, and physician networks, employing approximately 101,500 people. UHS’s reputation as a Fortune 500 corporation with annual revenues reaching $17.4 billion in recent years attests to its stability and growth potential. Employees at Northwest Texas Healthcare System can expect a professional and supportive environment that values diversity, mutual respect, and continuous improvement. Employee roles are designed to promote individual contribution toward the quality of care and patient satisfaction.
The Cook at Northwest Texas Healthcare System plays an essential role in delivering quality food service across patient meals, cafeteria offerings, and catering services. This position demands strict adherence to sanitation and food safety guidelines mandated by the State of Texas Health Department. The Cook is responsible for preparing and garnishing meals according to standardized recipes, ensuring food is cooked to proper temperatures and evaluated for taste, consistency, and visual quality. This role requires skill in food preparation, equipment safety, and production planning to meet daily menu demands efficiently. Maintaining food temperatures during preparation, labeling and storing unused foods, and keeping work areas clean and sanitized are crucial duties. The Cook frequently uses professional food handling techniques in line with departmental policies to support patients' dietary needs and maintain regulatory compliance with Medicare, The Joint Commission, and other healthcare standards. Beyond food preparation, the Cook collaborates actively in team meetings and department initiatives, helping the Dietary Department achieve the highest standards. This role emphasizes safety, organization, and a commitment to patient satisfaction through excellent meal service. Candidates with institutional cooking experience and certifications such as food handler or ServSafe certification are preferred. The ability to work for extended periods on your feet, lift and move food supplies, and communicate effectively within a healthcare environment are essential physical and interpersonal skills for success. This position represents a rewarding opportunity to contribute to healthcare outcomes by enhancing patient and visitor experience through nutrition and food quality at a respected healthcare system.
The Cook at Northwest Texas Healthcare System plays an essential role in delivering quality food service across patient meals, cafeteria offerings, and catering services. This position demands strict adherence to sanitation and food safety guidelines mandated by the State of Texas Health Department. The Cook is responsible for preparing and garnishing meals according to standardized recipes, ensuring food is cooked to proper temperatures and evaluated for taste, consistency, and visual quality. This role requires skill in food preparation, equipment safety, and production planning to meet daily menu demands efficiently. Maintaining food temperatures during preparation, labeling and storing unused foods, and keeping work areas clean and sanitized are crucial duties. The Cook frequently uses professional food handling techniques in line with departmental policies to support patients' dietary needs and maintain regulatory compliance with Medicare, The Joint Commission, and other healthcare standards. Beyond food preparation, the Cook collaborates actively in team meetings and department initiatives, helping the Dietary Department achieve the highest standards. This role emphasizes safety, organization, and a commitment to patient satisfaction through excellent meal service. Candidates with institutional cooking experience and certifications such as food handler or ServSafe certification are preferred. The ability to work for extended periods on your feet, lift and move food supplies, and communicate effectively within a healthcare environment are essential physical and interpersonal skills for success. This position represents a rewarding opportunity to contribute to healthcare outcomes by enhancing patient and visitor experience through nutrition and food quality at a respected healthcare system.
Job Requirements
- Ability to read and write English
- Ability to communicate with staff, physicians, support agencies, vendors and others
- Ability to remain calm under stress
- Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses
- Significant walking or other means of mobility
- Ability to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 8 hours)
- Ability to reach, bend, stoop, push and/or pull, and frequently lift up to 35 pounds and occasionally lift/move 40 pounds
- Quantitative/mathematical ability (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, standard/metric measurement)
- Tolerance for cold environments and exposure to cooking odors, gases and chemicals
- Awareness of potential hazards from knives, meat slicers, and burns from cooking and heating surfaces
Job Qualifications
- High school graduate or GED preferred
- Institutional cooking experience required (1 - 3 years)
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Typing and basic computer skills preferred
- Food handler or ServSafe Certification preferred
- Successful completion of pre-employment assessment
Job Duties
- Prepare and garnish food for patient, cafeteria, and catering services following standardized recipes
- Meet or exceed quality standards through periodic tasting for palatability, consistency, cooking/serving temperatures, and visual inspection
- Follow appropriate menu and production guide for food
- Exhibit basic skills in food preparation and equipment utilization/safety, organization, and planning of production to meet menu demands
- Maintain food temperatures through entire preparation cycle
- Use food-handling techniques as set in departmental policies and procedures
- Store unused food items labeling and dating
- Report needed repairs and/or supplies to manager
- Clean all worktables, ovens, fryers, grill, steam kettle, refrigerators and stove following the posted cleaning schedule
- Regularly attend and actively participate in departmental and other meetings
- Assure that the Dietary Department meets the State, Medicare, The Joint Commission and other regulations required
- Perform other duties as assigned
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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