Production Cook (Cafeteria Cook, Prep Cook (Healthcare), Kitchen Services, Culinary Services)

Overview

At Augusta Health, your work matters — and so do you. Whether you're delivering direct patient care, supporting operations, or innovating behind the scenes, every role contributes to our mission of promoting wellness and healing through compassionate service. We offer more than just a job — we offer a purpose-driven career in a nationally recognized, independent health system located in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley.

Learn more about career opportunities on our Careers Page.

Our team members thrive in a supportive culture that values collaboration, integrity, and excellence. With opportunities across clinical and non-clinical areas, Augusta Health is a place where your skills make a difference, and your growth is a priority.

Why Join Augusta Health?

We believe in taking care of the people who care for our community. That’s why Augusta Health offers a comprehensive and thoughtfully designed benefits package that supports your well-being, career development, and work-life balance. Whether you're launching your career or bringing in years of experience, we provide the tools, resources, and encouragement to help empower you to reach your full potential — personally, professionally, and financially.

Explore our Benefits, current Hiring Incentives, and our Taking Care of Us initiative — which embraces Belonging, Respect, Inclusion, Diversity, Growth, and Equity (B.R.I.D.G.E.) — to see how we invest in our team members and culture.

Total Rewards & Benefits (may vary by position)

• Comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings plans and financial wellness support programs
• Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling to promote work-life balance
• Career development programs including clinical ladders, shared governance, and advancement opportunities
• Personalized onboarding with dedicated preceptors and ongoing educational support
• Tuition reimbursement and access to onsite childcare
• Free onsite parking, 24/7-armed security for your safety, a Health Fitness Reimbursement Program, and an onsite credit union and pharmacy
• Competitive pay with shift/weekend differentials
• Employee discounts at the cafeteria, gift shop, pharmacy, and local entertainment venues (i.e., movie tickets)

Full details are available on our Benefits Page.

Job Summary

This position plays a critical role in supporting Augusta Health’s mission and advancing departmental goals through measurable performance indicators and service excellence. This position contributes to a collaborative, patient-centered environment and helps drive outcomes aligned with organizational priorities.

The Production Cook is responsible for planning the cooking schedule in conjunction with Production manager to ensure that food will be ready at specific times. Confers with the Production Manager regarding modified diet preparation and use of leftovers. Washing, trimming, cooking and seasoning of food items for each meal. Measures and mixes ingredients according to recipes using a variety of kitchen utensils and equipment such as blenders, mixers, grinders, slicers and food processors to make entrées, sauces, casserole, soups, breads and desserts. Bakes, roasts and broils meats and other foods. Observes and tastes food being cooked to assure the product meets standards and reflects recipe adherence. procures food products from refrigerators, freezers and dry storage areas.

May request assistance from co-workers when needed. Portions controls food items as needed.

Essential Job Duties

• Dating and labeling monitored.
• Be able to articulate an understanding of modified diets. Articulates, speak knowledgeably, and fluently of modified diets.
• Be able to perform simple calculations to adjust quantities of standardized recipes. Ability to extend recipes.
• Check walk-in storage units on a daily basis in order to coordinate leftovers within the day’s menu.
• Follow sanitation rules as established by the Health Department, and the hospital’s Infection Control Committee. Have knowledge of cross-contamination. Cuts, lesion report/Infection control report/ understanding cross-contamination. Ensure fresh products by using the batch cooking method.
• Taste panels and palatability monitored by Management/Supervisors. Ensure proper temperatures for all food placed on the serving line, and cafeteria. Consistently takes and records temperatures.
• Prepare foods for patients, cafeteria, and other food service areas according to recipes. Recipes are provided and followed, and taste panels preferred by Production Manager.
• Rotate meats, frozen foods, and other items on a “First In”, “First Out” basis.
• Prepare foods for patients, cafeteria, and other food service areas according to recipes.
• Promptly reports food shortages, outdated items, or any food received in poor condition.
• Communicate with management and supervision about concerns in the workplace.
• Replenishes cafeteria and patient serving lines throughout meal periods. Maintain backup for lines when necessary.

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Licensure/Certification: None
• Experience: Minimum of two years' experience in cooking, cold food preparation, and order/inventory management in healthcare nutrition services or other complex, high-volume food service environments.
• Driver's License: N/A
• Eligibility to work in the United States and meet Virginia state employment requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: None
• Licensure/Certification: None
• Experience: None
• Prior experience in a hospital, healthcare system, or related service-oriented environment
• Familiarity with Augusta Health’s systems, workflows, or organizational culture is a plus

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be competent in all equipment used in preparation of food. Please see attached competency checklist.
• Must be able to interpret recipe used. Must know basic food prep techniques, including receiving, storage, preparation and holding of food items.
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of food service sanitation and use accepted techniques in handling, preparation and service of food items to patients, employees and guests.
• Must have or be able to acquire knowledge of modified diets.
• Must have or be able to acquire knowledge to expand or reduce recipe quantities.
• Must know weights and measures.

About Augusta Health

Augusta Health is an independent, nonprofit, mission-driven health system located in Fishersville, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. We offer a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services, including Augusta Medical Center—a 255-bed facility—and Augusta Medical Group, which operates 40 practice locations and four urgent care centers. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate care makes Augusta Health a leading employer and healthcare provider in the region.

Discover more about our history, values, and community impact on our About Us Page.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Augusta Health recruits, hires, and promotes qualified candidates for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran or military discharge status, and family medical or genetic information.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace in accordance with federal and Virginia state employment laws.