Cook

Victoria Court has been specifically designed to care for the Nursing needs of those who can no longer care for themselves.

The Home is a combination of a former manse, which has been sympathetically extended with purpose-built accommodation. We cater for 42 residents.

**Purpose**:
To co-ordinate all aspects of kitchen production so that food is prepared to the agreed standard and that time deadlines are met.

To ensure all Health & Safety and Environmental Health Standards are achieved, maintained or exceeded.

To participate in full with understanding that Resident’s nutritional needs are being met.

**Aims of the Job**

To prepare appetising and nutritious food for the residents on a daily basis.

To follow the menus in conjunction with the residents likes and dislikes.

To ensure that the kitchen is hygienically clean at all times.

To ensure all food orders are requested with ample time while working under an agreed budget.

To meet differencing dietary requirements as necessary**.**

**Key Responsibilities**

To prepare breakfast as required by the resident at an agreed time.

To offer a range of cooked breakfasts for those that wish to have them.

To ensure all meals are ready at the appropriate time.

To offer and prepare, if necessary, at least three main options for lunch each day ensuring that fresh produce is used, as per our menus.

To delegate appropriate work to the kitchen assistant as required and monitor that this has been carried out to a satisfactory level

To oversee any meals that the kitchen assistant has prepared.

To prepare fresh, homemade soup daily and make sure it is available throughout the day.

To prepare desserts as necessary for both lunch and supper.

To prepare fresh baked rolls and bread daily.

To prepare or part prepare the supper dish for that day or delegate this to the appropriate person.

Prepare or delegate the preparation of the sandwiches for supper.

To ensure fresh cake is made for afternoon tea.

To ensure that fresh cake is prepared for a residents’ birthday or any other occasions as requested.

To oversee the smooth running of the kitchen when on duty.

To ensure all cleaning is completed as per cleaning rota.

To ensure all food returned to the fridge is covered with cling film and dated.

Ensure all foods are appropriately covered.

To ensure appropriate kitchen protocol is maintained i.e. no eating in the kitchen, carers are not to wash their hands at the kitchen sink, etc.

To ensure all frozen foods are taken out of the freezer giving ample time to defrost.

**General**

To attend and participate in staff meetings and attend all mandatory training when required.

To attend supervision and appraisals ensuring that you have prepared for these when required.

To attend any other training when a need has been identified.

To communicate effectively with other staff, relatives and visitors including professional agencies regarding residents.

To answer the door and telephone appropriately. Respond accordingly, and pass on messages promptly.

Make visitors feel welcome. Provide refreshments/assistance when required.

To report any faults/defects in the Kitchen to the appropriate person or the Manager in charge

To be fully aware of the fire policy and the awareness of food hygiene regulations.

To ensure you are familiar with all current policies and procedures and understand your duty to comply and implement them when necessary

To wear uniform provided with plain black trousers and flat sensible shoes at all times

To be aware of the residents’ confidentiality at all times especially regarding the use of the walkie talkies

Ensure that you do not use a mobile telephone while on duty.

To ensure that all information of a confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to third parties

To keep all records of cleaning work completed after each shift in the appropriate book.

Understand your duty to whistleblow if you witness bad practice or harm to a resident within the Home.

To promote and ensure the good reputation of the Home at all times.

**Qualifications, Training and Experience**

Previous experience is required.

To have a genuine interest for older people.

To be willing to participate in National Vocational Training Programmes if necessary.

To have good communication skills.

To have the ability to work effectively within a team environment.

**Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults / Mental Capacity Act;**

To complete training on Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and the Mental Capacity Act and be able to understand and implement SVA and MHA policies and procedures taking responsibility for reporting any safeguarding concerns to the senior person on duty or on
- call RD

**Health and Safety**:
As an employee of Tamlaght Care Ltd, the postholder has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, to:

- Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and all other persons who may be affec