Job Description

Forefront is seeking a skilled, dependable, and compassionate Cook to join our culinary team at a hospital in Roundup, MT. In this role, you won’t just be preparing meals — you’ll be directly supporting the health, comfort, and overall well-being of our residents and patients through thoughtful, healthcare-centered cooking.

Our culinary team plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life by creating nutritious, flavorful meals tailored to meet therapeutic and dietary needs. This position requires attention to detail, collaboration with nursing and care staff, and a genuine commitment to service. Every plate matters, and every meal is an opportunity to provide dignity, care, and connection.

If you take pride in preparing high-quality food, thrive in a team-oriented environment, and are passionate about serving others, we invite you to bring your skills and heart to our community.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits (Full-Time Only)
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Leave & 6 Paid Holidays (Full-Time Only)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience in high-volume or healthcare food service preferred
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills, especially with nursing and care staff
• Positive attitude and team-oriented mindset
• Knowledge and understanding of therapeutic and modified diets

Summary/Objective:

Responsible for preparing nutritious and appetizing food for residents following established recipes adhering to federal/state/local standards and guidelines in proper food storage, handling, and preparation. Must possess the ability to work in a high-pressure environment, working both independently and as part of a team.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prepare meals in accordance with planned menus.
• Serve food in accordance with established portion control procedures.
• Prepare food in accordance with standardized recipes and special requests.
• Ensure food is prepared at proper temperatures and associated checklists and logs are completed.
• Assist with inventory management and the receiving of goods from vendors.
• Work with the Executive Chef/Cottage Manager/Chef Manager to coordinate menus or special requests.
• Adapts schedule when necessary to accommodate emergency situations.
• Follow safe food handling training and policies and procedures including appropriate glove use.
• Assist in daily or scheduled cleaning duties, in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Adheres to therapeutic and mechanically altered diet extensions.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Competencies:

1. Customer Service Oriented.
2. Basic Food Preparation Knowledge.
3. Sanitation and Safety Practices.
4. Thoroughness.
5. Time Management.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Must have the ability to coach others.
• Proven ability to coach and teach within the kitchen.
• Ability to lead a group of your peers.

Work Environment:

• Requires repetitive wrist motion. This position requires lifting, up to seventy five pounds. (75lbs).

Physical Demands:

• Stands and walks continuously throughout the working day.
• Reaches, stoops, bends, lifts, carries, and manipulates various food products, dietary supplies and equipment.
• Visual acuity and color discrimination for examining cooked and stored foods.
• Ability to work with chemicals and cleaning agents. Must be free from infection or diseases.
• Exposure to temperature and humidity changes as in entering refrigerated storage areas, working at ovens, ranges, dish-washing machines, and at steam tables.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry fifty (50lbs) to seventy five (75lbs) pounds.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is an hourly position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, some weekends, and some holidays.

Required Education and Experience:

• HS Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 1 year of food preparation and service experience.
• ServSafe certification required if no certification must be obtained within 3 months of employment.
• Knowledge of food handlers and safety regulations.
• Proven track record of integrity.
• Excellent verbal/written and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Must be detail oriented and accurate.
• Ability to multitask while working in a pressured environment; always operating as part of a team.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Verbal and writing abilities necessary to communicate and work effectively with various levels of staff, residents, family members and the public.
• Numerical ability necessary to make various computations in keeping work records, and in recipe preparation.
• Motor coordination and manual dexterity are required to prepare food and operate dietary equipment.
• Willingness to perform routine, repetitive tasks with frequent interruptions. An appreciation of the value of food and dietary equipment and an awareness of the requirement for careful handling and economy of serving.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow recipe directions, diet orders and work assignments. Able and willing to work flexible hours, such as during an emergency situation. Must be patient and tolerant toward staff, residents, and family members.

Additional Information

AAP/EEO Statement:

Forefront Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.