Cook-16553301

NOTE: All applicants must comply with ICL’s vaccination policy. Employees will be required to either provide verification of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with an FDA-authorized vaccine).

JOB SUMMARY:

This is an entry-level direct care position assigned to community residences. The incumbents of these positions perform all duties of a counselor, but have the lead responsibility for food preparation and associated tasks, such responsibility for food storage, preparing meals for residents, food inventories, food safety, etc. Workers in this job category perform a wide variety of tasks related to the care, nurturing, treatment, education, socialization, habilitation, recovery/healing, safety, security, and support of adults diagnosed with mental illness and substance abuse disorder. These tasks focus on supporting, instructing, and assisting recipients of services to develop the skills needed to attain personal goals, live, be educated, work, and socialize successfully in the community environments of their choice and also in maintaining a safe, clean environment. In addition, workers also advocate for clients and support families or other caregivers in their efforts to assist these individuals.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.

Cook Duties:

1. Prepares and cooks meals in accordance with residents’ dietary requirements established by the Dietician. Has meals prepared on time for the residents. Participates in meal planning with the Dietician.
2. Maintains clean and sanitary cooking utensils, cooking equipment, cooking area, and food storage area; discards spoiled food.
3. Cleans food storage areas, food preparation areas, and food service areas and general kitchen area including floors, ceilings and walls using mops, scrub brushes and other equipment as necessary
4. Receives and stores deliveries in appropriate storage area; dates and labels food and rotates stock.
5. Washes dishes, serving utensils, pots, pans and other food preparation and serving utensils by hand and/or machine.
6. Brings food and other supplies to preparation and serving areas as directed.
7. Inventories food and prepares food in quantities to avoid waste or leftovers.
8. Insures that those residents on special diets receive proper food and portions
9. Cooks foods by various methods, such as grilling, roasting, frying, etc. and makes toast, coffee, tea and salads as necessary
10. Assists residents in eating as needed and appropriately. Teaches residents to eat in a family-style setting.
11. Teaches and assists residents to plan, shop, store, and prepare and serve meals using currently accepted nutritional standards; to clean kitchen and dining areas, and dispose of leftover food safely.

Counselor Duties:

1. Throughout assigned shift performs regular inspections inside of the facility to ensure the safety of the consumers and residents, accountability of property, cleanliness of consumer rooms and common areas, cleanliness and security of the area immediately outside of the facility, and the security of any assigned vehicles. Ensures that only authorized individuals are permitted access to the residence.
2. Immediately reports serious incidents, serious incident allegations, incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors. Completes incident reports in accordance with Institute for Community Living policy.
3. Explains the types of services, recreational activities and other programs available to consumers and residents, instructs the consumer or resident in daily living skills, socialization skill enhancement and conflict resolution.
4. Executes emergency plans as outlined in the policy and procedure manual under the direction of the assigned supervisor and adheres to program policy on securing the safety and well-being of consumers/residents, staff and visitors requiring emergency medical care.
5. Assists and instructs individuals in attending to personal hygiene, grooming, nutrition and daily living; ensures that sufficient and appropriate attire is available.
6. Reviews the staff communication log at the beginning of the work shift and makes entries in the staff communication log concerning security checks, crisis incidents, emergency situations, incident reports, or other essential elements of information designated by program management
7. Observes the physical environment and performs housekeeping tasks as necessary to ensure the maintenance of a safe, clean, comfortable and healing environment for individuals.
8. Ensures that the food provided or selected is appropriate for those on a special diet.
9. Accompanies consumers or residents on regularly scheduled or emergency visits to medical treatment facilities, social agencies, social activities, government offices, or other locations associated with the treatment or assistance of the consumer or resident.
10. Expected to comply with attendance rules and to report to work as scheduled and/or required on a regular basis. Must have availability and ability to work beyond the normal schedule as needed.
11. Expected to attend regular scheduled team, and staff meetings and supervision.
12. Complies with all required in-service training, and staff development activities.
13. May provide monitoring of medications and make appropriate medication administration form entries in accordance with the medication protocol. May assist consumers/residents who are on a monitored medication regime.
14. Assists the clinical staff in accounting for residents/consumers. May assist in the filing of missing person reports on residents/consumers not accounted for in accordance with Institute for Community Living policy and procedure.
15. Observe individuals’ behavior and specific responses to treatment and rehabilitation programs, support services and medication and reports observations orally and/or in writing, including computer entries, as instructed and in accordance with applicable audit standards.
16. May lead skills development or activity groups with individuals and families as appropriate.
17. May assist and supervise individuals in meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping tasks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in human services and/or food preparation. Must be able to pass NYS Health Department requirements for food handlers.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of the properties of various cleaning substances.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and simple written instructions.
• Ability to stand, stoop, bend and stretch for long periods of time.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy manual labor.
• Ability to use various cleaning equipment and products.
• Ability to climb ladders and scaffolds.
• Ability to work in a setting with individuals with mental illness.
• Ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
• Serve as a role model to residents/consumers.
• Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner, manually and by computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, consumers/residents, families, and the public.
• Ability to accompany or transport residents/consumers (Some assignments may require possession of a valid driver's license).
• Ability to secure and maintain certification for Standard First Aid and CPR.