Cook
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Lakewood, CO, 80228-1527
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 18-25.22 HOUR
Date Posted : 4 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
You have a purpose, unique talents and NOW is the time to embrace it, live it and put it to work. We value incredible people with incredible skills – but your commitment to a greater cause is something we value even more.
Prepares food for patients, staff, and visitors of the healthcare facility following safe cooking techniques. Prepares food for multiple therapeutic diets and complies with state and federal laws and regulations related to food preparation in a healthcare environment. Supports quality control measures such as recipe adherence and food quality consistency.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Maintains labeling and storage of food, equipment, and machinery.
4. Performs washing and cleaning duties to ensure sanitation & cleanliness in cooking and serving areas.
5. Other duties as assigned by leader.
Job Requirements
In addition to bringing your whole self to the workplace each day, qualified Cook candidates will need the following:
- One (1) year foodservice experience.
High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience. - If a Food Handlers Permit is a requirement by your state, county or local health code, it must be obtained within 30 days of hire.*
Physical Requirements - Medium Work - (Exert up to 50lbs force occasionally, and/or up to 20lbs frequently, and/or up to 10lbs constantly)
Where You'll WorkLocated in Lakewood, Colorado, St. Anthony Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center where we provide a full range of medical specialties and health care services to Denver and the surrounding region through our state-of-the-art medical campus and home base for Flight For Life Colorado. With four trauma rooms including the T-10 room, a dedicated field-to-surgery suite ready 24/7 for trauma surgeons and specially trained teams, our staff can provide life-saving care to the most severely ill and injured patients. In 2023, we received our exciting Magnet designation! We are so proud of our staff for this achievement, which is awarded to only 10 percent of hospitals around the world. Numerous other awards, certifications, and accreditations have been granted to us from the American Heart Association; Chest Pain Center (CPC); American College of Cardiology; The Joint Commission's National Quality Approval; the Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award; NAPBC Accreditation; American College of Radiology and many others. At St. Anthony Hospital. We combine a heritage of expert care with the latest in technology and innovation. If you're looking to be part of a fast-paced environment where you can practice to the top of your profession in trauma, cardiology, stroke, neurosciences, breast imaging, cancer/oncology care, surgery and more, we invite you to apply.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooks at healthcare facilities in Lakewood tailor recipes carefully to accommodate therapeutic diets and food allergies, ensuring compliance with state regulations. This involves modifying ingredients and preparation methods to support patient health while maintaining flavor and consistency.
While a food handler’s permit is often mandatory within 30 days of hire in Lakewood, many healthcare kitchens prefer candidates with food safety training aligned with local health codes. These certifications ensure adherence to hygiene standards critical in medical environments.
At Catholic Health Initiatives, cooks engage in preparing meals aligned with dietary guidelines, monitoring food temperatures, preventing cross-contamination, and performing sanitation duties. The role demands precision and care to support patient nutrition and safety.
Skills like safe food handling, recipe adherence, managing multiple therapeutic diets, and operating commercial kitchen equipment are crucial. Proficiency in sanitation and allergy-aware meal preparation significantly boosts employability in this sector.
Lakewood shows steady demand for culinary professionals in healthcare, with moderate competition. Candidates with healthcare foodservice experience and relevant certifications tend to stand out, as local hospitals prioritize food safety and specialized dietary knowledge.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes a mission-driven workplace with a focus on compassionate care, offering cooks the chance to contribute meaningfully in a trauma and specialty care hospital. Their recent magnet designation highlights a commitment to excellence and staff development.
Yes, the organization supports ongoing education and skill enhancement, allowing cooks to deepen their knowledge of therapeutic diets and healthcare food safety. This environment fosters career growth within a reputable hospital setting in Lakewood.
Healthcare cooks in Lakewood generally earn between $14 and $18 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. This range reflects local market conditions and the specialized skills required for therapeutic diet preparation in medical settings.
Employment at Catholic Health Initiatives often offers greater job stability due to the hospital’s consistent patient needs and healthcare funding. This contrasts with some restaurant roles where demand fluctuates more, making it an attractive option for cooks seeking steady work.
Hospital cooks must rigorously manage cross-contamination risks and adhere to therapeutic diet restrictions, which adds complexity beyond typical food service roles. Precision in food temperatures and sanitation is critical to ensuring patient safety in this fast-paced environment.