Cook
Company : Select Medical
Location : Ozark, MO, 65721
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Overview
Hospital Name: CoxHealth Rehabilitation HospitalPartnership with Select MedicalPosition: CookLocation: Ozark, MissouriSchedule: Per Diem/PRN
Be part of something new—this position supports our brand-new IRH hospital opening in January 2026!
A partnership between CoxHealth and Select Medical, our 63-bed medical rehabilitation hospital serves patients in Southwest Missouri. Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital is committed to providing exceptional and compassionate care to best address the medical, physical, emotional, and vocational challenges for individuals with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, orthopedic issues, amputation, and multiple traumas.
Why Join Us:
- Start Strong: Extensive orientation program to ensure a smooth transition into our setting.
- Opportunity for Advancement: Demonstrate your skills and dedication which could lead to potential full-time opportunities
- Foster Well-being: We offer benefits which support the financial, work/life and emotional well-being of you and your family members. Part time/Per Diem positions are eligible for 401k based on reaching 1,000 hours within their first anniversary or subsequent calendar year. We also offer our employee assistance program to part time employees.
- Your Impact Matters: Join a team of over 44,000 committed to providing exceptional patient care
Responsibilities
You will deliver superior quality in all that you do and you will treat others as they wish to be treated. You are a results-oriented team player who is resourceful in overcoming obstacles. You are an inventive problem solver who thrives in a dynamic environment.
You will prepare foods for patients, staff, and guests, and may assist with general cleaning of the cooking and eating areas. In the absence of the Manager, the Cook supervises the dietary staff, ensuring that our facility and departmental policies and procedures are adhered to, and that proper sanitation, safety and infection control policies are being followed.
- Accepting and understanding both verbal and written instructions.
- Providing high quality food preparation and service.
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment to meet department standards.
- Maintaining high standards of quality food production and portion control.
- Demonstrating a willingness to help with work that needs to be done.
- Taking initiative to not only identify problems, but to bring about a positive and sustainable solution.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- One (1) year cooking experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Culinary Arts degree preferred.
- Completion of state or local food safety training course preferred.
- Healthcare experience preferred.
Additional Data
Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans
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Frequently asked questions
In Ozark, MO, healthcare employers often prefer cooks with state or local food safety training certifications. These credentials ensure compliance with strict sanitation standards essential in medical rehabilitation facilities like Select Medical, enhancing patient safety and food quality.
Ozark's culinary job market has moderate competition, especially for healthcare-related cook roles. Facilities such as CoxHealth Rehabilitation Hospital seek experienced cooks, so candidates with healthcare food prep experience or culinary degrees tend to have an advantage in this local job landscape.
Proficiency in high-quality food preparation, strict portion control, and adaptability to dietary restrictions are vital. Cooks should also excel at sanitation practices and team collaboration, given the dynamic healthcare environment demanding safe and nutritious meal service.
Select Medical offers pathways for advancement from per diem roles to full-time positions by demonstrating culinary skills and dedication. Cooks can leverage this to gain more responsibilities, potentially moving into supervisory roles within hospital dietary services.
Select Medical’s cook positions emphasize patient-centered food preparation adhering to medical dietary standards, unlike restaurant roles focused on varied menus. The hospital setting demands strict sanitation, portion control, and teamwork aligned with healthcare protocols.
Yes, Select Medical ensures new cooks receive extensive orientation to smoothly integrate into the rehabilitation hospital environment. This training highlights compliance with safety policies and the specialized nutritional needs of patients.
Cooks in Ozark, MO healthcare settings generally earn between $13 and $17 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. Given the specialized nature of hospital kitchens, wages may be slightly higher than standard food service roles in the area.
Absolutely. Select Medical requires a minimum of one year cooking experience, and candidates with foundational culinary skills and a willingness to learn can succeed, especially with additional food safety training or healthcare experience.
The per diem/prn schedule at Select Medical offers flexibility, ideal for cooks seeking part-time or variable hours. This setup suits those balancing other commitments while gaining experience in a specialized healthcare kitchen.
Cooks prepare meals for patients and staff, maintain cleanliness and equipment sanitation, and may supervise dietary staff in the manager's absence. They ensure adherence to food safety and portion control standards vital in a medical rehabilitation context.