Permanent Cook Within a Care Home

**Job Title**: Cook

**Job Type**: Permanent

**Hours of Work**: Full Time / 37.5 hours per week

**Salary**: Dependant on experience

**Responsible To**: Nurse Manager

**Reports to**: Staff Nurse in Charge

Lucas Love Healthcare are working alongside a Care Home in Dromore, County Down to recruit a full time Cook.

**Overall Function**

To lead and co-ordinate the catering function of the home in the provision of a range of nutritious meals and food appropriate to the likes and dislikes of the home patients/residents within budgets and Food Hygiene legislation.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

1. In conjunction with the Management and other catering staff as well as nutritional professionals design rotating menus based upon relevant nutritional advice and guidance as well as the informed like preferences of the residents of the home..

2. Ensure meals that are served timely in an appetizing way both for regular and pureed meals and are of high quality, content and appetizingly presented, and that food safety guidelines are followed at all times.

3. Liaise with Nursing Staff to ensure that residents’ dietary needs are being met at all times. Meet with Resident’s to discuss dietary needs.

4. Ensure proper and economic use of foodstuffs within budget limits.

5. Responsible for the ordering of foodstuffs.

6. Supervise Kitchen Assistants and ensure that they understand their duties and perform them to a high standard.

7. Ensure that the dining tables are laid correctly for meals and the dining room is clean at all times.

8. Assist with the training of other kitchen staff.

9. Ensure that all appropriate records are in place in accordance with Environmental Health, and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Guidelines.

10. Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.

11. Adhere to all Policies and Procedures of the Home.

12. Attend all mandatory training provided by the Home.

13. Be helpful and polite to residents and visitors at all times.

14. Report all complaints to the Home Manager and assist with investigations when required.

**Health and Safety**

1. Ensure that the personal hygiene of all staff within the kitchen is of the highest standard.

2. Ensure that all areas of the kitchen including storage areas are kept meticulously clean and tidy.

3. Ensure that food is stored and cooked in accordance with Environmental Health Regulations.

4. Check the quality of food items delivered to the kitchen i.e. meat, fruit and vegetables, frozen food and stock rotation of provisions in refrigerators, freezers and store rooms.

5. Use and clean all equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.

6. Report immediately any faults with equipment to the Home Manager.

7. Maintain a safe environment for residents.

8. Report all accidents to the Home Manager/Deputy Manager/Head Cook. Ensure accidents are recorded in the accident book.

9. Adhere to the Fire Policy, COSHH Regulations and all other Health Safety Guidelines.

10 Ensure that all HACCP and other legally required documentation is completed and retained in the kitchen line with current Food Hygiene Legislation and Environmental Health and RQIA standards and requirements.

11 Advise the Nurse Manager of all visits by inspecting agencies and the results of any such visits.

**Essential Experience**
- At least 2 years’ experience working in a nursing home or similar environment.
- Relevant cookery qualification.

This job description is not meant to be definitive or restrictive and will be modified to meet changing needs.

Dependant on experience