Cook
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Plainview, NE, 68769-2047
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 15.67-22.14 HOUR
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
As our Cook, you will be essential to patient, staff, and visitor well-being by preparing high-quality, safe, and delicious meals, including those for multiple therapeutic diets. You will meticulously adhere to all state and federal food preparation regulations in a healthcare environment.
Every day you will follow safe cooking techniques, execute recipes with precision, and apply rigorous quality control to ensure consistent food quality and adherence.
To be successful in this role, you will possess proven experience in high-volume food preparation, a strong understanding of food safety and therapeutic diets, and a commitment to culinary excellence within a fast-paced setting.
- Prepares and serves food within guidelines of menu and dietary requirements, using required kitchen utensils and equipment such as slicers, mixers, ovens, fryers, steamers, stove tops, and grills, etc. Modifies preparations to account for food allergies.
- Follows healthcare foodservice industry standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including monitoring and maintaining food temperatures during cooking, holding, and storage processes. Avoids cross-contamination of foods and adheres to personal hygiene requirements.
- Maintains labeling and storage of food, equipment, and machinery.
- Performs washing and cleaning duties to ensure sanitation & cleanliness in cooking and serving areas.
Required
- One (1) year of Food Service Experience and
- None, upon hire
Preferred
- High School Graduate General Studies, upon hire or
- High School GED General Studies, upon hire and
- Cooking Experience and
- Combination of education and experience
Since our doors opened in 1968, CHI Health Plainview has been providing patients of Pierce, Antelope and Knox counties in Nebraska with exceptional care and quality outcomes. We are a 15-bed critical access facility with inpatient and outpatient services.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooks in healthcare settings focus on preparing meals that meet therapeutic diet requirements and strict food safety regulations, unlike restaurants where creativity may take priority. Precision in dietary needs and hygiene is critical to support patient health at Catholic Health Initiatives.
Employers in Plainview prioritize cooks with strong food safety knowledge, experience handling high-volume meal prep, and the ability to adapt recipes for food allergies and therapeutic diets, reflecting the local demand for reliable healthcare foodservice professionals.
While not always mandatory, certifications like ServSafe or Nebraska food handler permits boost a cook’s credibility in healthcare environments, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations vital for facilities such as Catholic Health Initiatives.
Cooks in Plainview typically earn between $13 and $17 per hour, depending on experience and certification. Healthcare-focused roles often offer competitive wages reflecting the specialized knowledge needed for therapeutic diet meal preparation.
The Plainview area has moderate demand for skilled cooks, with healthcare providers like Catholic Health Initiatives actively recruiting to maintain quality patient meal services, making it a promising locale for culinary professionals seeking stable employment.
Preparing therapeutic diets requires attention to detail to avoid allergens, maintain nutritional guidelines, and ensure taste quality, all under strict hygiene protocols. This role demands adaptability and a thorough understanding of diet modifications specific to patient needs.
Catholic Health Initiatives encourages skill development through hands-on experience with diverse dietary requirements and food safety standards, fostering culinary excellence and offering a platform for cooks to deepen their expertise in healthcare foodservice.
Yes, familiarity with high-volume cooking is highly valued since the kitchen serves many patients and staff daily. Efficiently managing bulk food prep while maintaining safety and quality standards is essential in this healthcare environment.
Entry-level roles exist, especially for candidates with basic foodservice experience and a willingness to learn. Catholic Health Initiatives offers positions where on-the-job training complements practical skills, making healthcare cooking accessible to newcomers.
Daily tasks involve preparing meals according to prescribed menus, ensuring food safety compliance, adapting dishes for allergies or therapeutic needs, operating kitchen equipment safely, and maintaining cleanliness in food prep and serving areas.