Location: Peoria,IL, USA
Prep Cook
Description **Summary:**
The Prep Cook is responsible for food preparation that meets or exceeds standards of the community This position prepares all foods to meet quality, quantity, and deadline requirements The Prep Cook works closely with the Culinary staff to ensure residents meals meet their specified diets and are both nutritious and tasteful
**Essential Duties & Responsibilities:**
* Assist the chef in all daily activities
* Assist in all meal service prep
* Wash all residents dishes during meal service
* Assist in preparing and stocking room service cart and running room service trays as needed
* Prepare, stock, & restock dining room beverage station
* Assist in resetting and vacuuming dining room, as needed
* Assist in preparation of salads, soups and dessert
* Maintain or exceed standards of appearance, cleanliness, hygiene, and health standards
* Practice all safety and loss prevention procedures
* Attend mandatory monthly in-service and safety meetings
* Responsible for following all local, state, and federal policies regarding food handling
* Assist with state required documentation including, but not limited, to: temperature logs, taste panel forms, and cleaning schedules
* Promote the Vision, Values, and Mission of Avanti Senior Living
* Other duties as assigned or may be necessary in an organization having overlapping roles and responsibilities
Requirements **Dining Responsibilities**
* Deliver and retrieve meal trays to rooms as needed
* Serve meals to residents in dining room or suites Also, assist in preparing meals following pre-planned menus when needed
* Encourages residents to eat a proper diet and take adequate fluids while respecting the residents right to free choice Also, report changes in residents eating habits to the supervisor
**Health & Safety Responsibilities**
* Responsible for following and advocating all government and state health and safety policy regulations
* Perform job duties in compliance with company policy and procedures and state licensing regulations
* Adhere to confidentiality policy regarding information concerning residents and employees, HIPPA
* Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Exposure Control Plan, Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures and know how to use the information
* If certified and/or trained per state guidelines, provide residents with services in accordance with physician orders in assisting with administration of treatment and medications
* Be observant and aware of any situations or occurrence in the community that may pose a safety hazard to residents or staff Report such observation immediately to the Wellness Director
**Avanti Culture**
* Ensure all residents are treated as unique individuals with individualized needs and are treated with dignity and respect at all times
* Always treat family members and colleagues with kindness, respect, and dignity in line with Avanti Core Values
* Must exhibit and promote a high level of customer service, hospitality, courtesy and friendliness towards all prospects, residents, visitors, employees and the overall community
**Additional Responsibilities:**
* Attend all required meetings and in-services
* Be observant and aware of any situations or occurrence in the community that may pose a safety hazard to residents or staff Report such observation immediately to the Wellness Director
* Must remain on duty and provide essential functions for residents until shift replacement arrives
* Adhere to company policy for time and attendance
**Physical/Environmental Demands:**
* Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks and support residents, particularly for long distances
* Standing, particularly for sustained periods of time
* Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to push, lift, carry, pull, or otherwise move objects
* Must have clear and color vision and the ability to adjust focus when necessary
* Must be able to reach with arms in order to assist and support residents
* Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the communities, which may include a medical and physical examination
* Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents & exchange accurate information in these situations
* Must have the ability to hear and react to Exit Door Alarms and Emergency phone rings
* Must pass physical requirement, TB test, background check, drug test and maintain required immunizations
**Desired Skills and Experience:**
* High School Diploma or equivalent is required
* Minimum of one-year experience as cook preparing full line of menu items
* Must hold a Food Handlers license or must have the ability to obtain it shortly after hire
* Able to prepare therapeutic/modified diets
* Able to work on all Holidays, and for pre-planned special events
* Familiar with all cooking methods
* Proficient in written and verbal English
* Demonstration of ability to establish long-term relationships
* Must have compassion for and a desire to work with the older adult population
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work with staff and external constituents
* Must exhibit and promote a high level of customer service, hospitality, courtesy and friendliness towards all prospects, residents, visitors, employees and the overall community
* Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, speaking the primary language of the residents
* Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
* Ability to write routine reports and correspondence Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization
* Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
* Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
* Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
* Basic personal computer skills including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, internet etc
* Ability to easily learn, understand, and adapt to new or unfamiliar technology
**Environmental Adaptability:**
* Works primarily indoor in a climate-controlled setting
* Possible exposure to unpleasant odors
* Possible exposure to chemicals as identified in the MSDS Manual
* Possible exposure to verbal aggression from vendors, guests, residents and/or family members
* Continuous exposure to clients and/or family members who may be under stress
**Working Hours**
* Must be available to work weekends, extended shift hours, holidays, on short notice, and when required by management
* Must be Flexible with work schedule and related job assignments