Cook - FT

Chattanooga, TN, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Range $12.50 - $16.50

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Day Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee wellness programs

Career development opportunities

Employee Discounts

Job Description

Vitruvian Health is a leading healthcare system serving northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee. Formerly known as Hamilton Health Care System, Vitruvian Health is recognized for its legacy of trust, innovation, and outstanding patient care. The organization operates over 80 access points throughout the region, including well-regarded facilities such as Hamilton Medical Center and Bradley Medical Center. Committed to the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves, Vitruvian Health places a strong emphasis not only on delivering excellent clinical services but also on supporting the growth and success of its team members. The organization is deeply rooted in core values encapsulated by the acronym PRIDE: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence. These guiding principles shape the culture at Vitruvian Health, fostering an environment where team members are empowered, diversity is celebrated, and the delivery of compassionate care remains central to every action.

As part of Vitruvian Health’s mission-driven team, employees are inspired to make meaningful contributions to patient outcomes and community health. The organization values its workforce as its greatest asset, providing opportunities for professional development and fostering a workplace where individuals are valued and supported. With a focus on excellence in all aspects, Vitruvian Health is dedicated to ensuring that every person experiences high-quality care every time. Whether working in clinical roles, administration, or support functions, team members are part of a larger collective effort that is changing lives every day.

The Food Services Associate role at Vitruvian Health plays a vital part in supporting patient care through the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals tailored to meet various dietary needs. Reporting to the Food Services Manager, this position involves preparing food in alignment with established procedural guidelines and menus developed by dietitians. The role demands meticulous attention to hygiene, food safety, and infection control policies, ensuring that all meals served meet health standards and patient preferences. Responsibilities include using a range of kitchen equipment, managing meal portion sizes, assisting with food service lines, and maintaining cleanliness throughout food preparation and kitchen areas.

Ideal candidates for this position will be comfortable working with large quantities of institutional-sized cookware, following detailed standardized recipes, and adapting to the needs of elderly patients and those with specialized dietary restrictions. The role requires flexibility as individuals may need to assist in various kitchen tasks, manage inventory levels, and monitor food storage conditions. Maintaining accurate records related to meal service and kitchen operations is also essential to ensuring quality and compliance.

Joining Vitruvian Health as a Food Services Associate means becoming part of a compassionate and dedicated team focused on improving patients’ nutritional experiences as a key component of their overall care. This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in food service excellence, and want to contribute to a respected healthcare organization with a strong community presence. Vitruvian Health offers a supportive work environment where employees can grow professionally while actively participating in a mission to enhance health and wellness across the region.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Prior food service or kitchen experience preferred
Ability to stand for extended periods
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
Must comply with infection control and safety standards
Ability to read and understand menus and diet orders
Must be reliable and punctual
Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays if required
Good physical stamina
Ability to follow instructions closely and maintain cleanliness
Effective communication skills

Job Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent
Experience working in a food service or kitchen environment preferred
Ability to follow detailed instructions and standardized recipes
Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
Ability to operate kitchen equipment such as mixers, ovens, steamers, and slicers
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational and time management skills
Good communication skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Understanding of specialized dietary needs is a plus

Job Duties

Prepares various foods depending on menu created by dieticians for each meal of the day
Operates various kitchen equipment in preparation for the meal such as mixer, meat slicer, food processor, oven, steamer
Cleans work surfaces following shift including sweeping floors, wiping down counter space, covering and storing unused foods
Creates meals appropriate for the elderly and in large quantities using institutional-sized cookware
Works at a constant pace to ensure that food is ready for each meal of the day
Complies with infection control policies in work area
Keeps equipment clean at all times
May be required to fill in gaps in kitchen help
Reports any needed repairs to maintenance department
Reads and understands menus
Prepares meals in accordance with the menu and standardized recipes
Assists in the food service line to provide diets as ordered including specialized diets, likes and dislikes, therapeutic diets
Monitors and serves meals with appropriate portion controls such as scoops, ladles
Assists in processing diet changes and new diets
Provides that meals are prepared and served on time
Provides that substitutes are available for those who refuse foods served
Properly scrapes and washes dishes, pots, and pans
Records freezer and walk-in refrigerator temperatures in accordance with established procedures
Checks stock as needed
Puts up stock in appropriate manner
Stores cleaning materials appropriately
Sets up tray line and performs tray line service
Returns trays to kitchen if requested
Understands diet orders
Follows NPO diet orders
Processes diet orders
Understands menu substitutions and records them according to procedural guidelines
Properly stores leftovers and opened food
Makes coffee and tea as requested
Follows procedures for serving associate meals
Follows proper procedures for cleaning kitchen equipment such as carts, tables, counters, ice machine, blender, mixer, meat slicer, freezer, refrigerator, stove, oven, steamer, garbage disposal, dish machine, coffee and tea maker, steam table
Uses appropriate serving equipment such as ladles, spoons, scoops
Checks and records water temperature for dishwasher, pot and pan sink
Checks dishwasher with sanitizer strips
Checks chemical levels and replaces if needed
Follows proper operating procedures of the steamer