Are you looking to join a friendly and dedicated team who is committed and supported? Are you looking to make a difference to people in our care? Then you should apply for this role. Please note that it is a requirement that staff working in a residential aged care environment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at time of commencing employment.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title Chef – Trade Cook
Location Albury
Status Casual
Reporting to Hotel Services Manager
Lutheran Aged Care - Overview
Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, not for Profit Company primarily funded by the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View and Nicholson Park Retirement Villages, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Community Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 300 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, maintenance, management and administrative staff.
Role Objective
The Chef is responsible for the production of excellent quality and well presented food across all production kitchens in the organisation; (Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens) and for innovation in menus and food production and presentation for celebratory events. The Chef must manage and cultivate food services staff in their understanding and knowledge of food production and presentation and customer service as it applies to the service of food. The Chef works in support of and liaison with the Hotel Services Manager and Catering Officer.
Key Result Areas & Responsibilities
Leadership
- Lead food services kitchen teams in the execution of their activities on a daily basis across Dellacourt and Yallaroo sites such that a consistent quality standard of food and presentation is achieved.
- Ensure observance of recorded resident diets and preferences
- Provide day to day performance feedback to staff and identify areas for improvement; support and coach staff in their development.
- In conjunction with the Hotel Services Manager and Catering Officer, participate in annual Performance Reviews for staff in line with LAC Policy.
- Participate in the development and implementation of Food Services operational plans and change management projects for Dellacourt and Yallaroo sites.
- Provide the Hotel Service Manager information that assists with rostering and replacement of staff, and participate in these tasks as required.
- In conjunction with Hotel Services Manager, Catering Officer and Human Resources Manager, resolve staff issues in line with WHS, bullying, harassment and equal employment best practice.
- Consult Human Resources Manager and Hotel Services Manager regarding employment issues or the application of employment conditions.
- Liaise with Hotel Services Manager and Staff Development Manager to coordinate training and development activities of staff.
Service Delivery
- Coordinate (and ensure that all production kitchen activities are effectively coordinated) including meal service; perform hands on preparation of meals in line with menus as required to support staff.
- Coordinate and ensure quality control points for plating and presentation of food
- Deliver a high quality, cost effective food and beverage service to all customers of LAC in accordance with dietary, statutory and best practice guidelines.
- Oversee the coordination of the food production and service of food for celebratory events and participate in preparation; ensure advanced planning of staff and supplies to meet event expectations to a high standard.
- In conjunction with Hotel Services Manager and Catering Officer, regularly review supplier arrangements in line with business needs.
Compliance
- Maintain knowledge of aged care industry standards for Food Services.
- Perform regular checks of Food Services activities and document outcomes in line with accreditation, food safety plans and statutory requirements.
- Ensure ongoing achievement of triple A Food Authority rating through continuous improvement initiatives, quality and resident surveys.
- Ensure the ongoing competency of staff in line with food handling requirements and accredited training standards.
Work Health & Safety
- Take reasonable care for his / her own WHS ensuring that actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
- Manage and ensure the Work Health and Safety of all staff, residents, visitors, volunteers and work experience participants.
- Understand the operations and general hazards / risks in the workplace and monitor performance regarding incidents, hazards and risks.
- Ensure mechanisms exist for consultation with staff regarding WHS issues.
- Consult with staff and take into account their opinions prior to making a WHS related decision.
- Control the work environment and take immediate action to eliminate risks and rectify any unsafe situations or acts.
- Participate with the Hotel Services Manager to establish a WHS plan and monitor for the relevant unit.
- Lead by an example and provide visible commitment to WHS and procedures.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of WHS procedures.
- Monitor staff compliance and attend specific WHS meetings, training sessions and related events relevant to the unit.
- Ensure that staff work within their capacity, experience and training.
- Ensure that the Hotel Service Manager has the required information with which to conduct incident investigations and provide improvement recommendations as required
- Immediately advise the Hotel Services Manager and Human Resources Manager of staff injuries, serious incidents and other incidents.
- Support injured staff working under return-to-work programs.
- Maintain equipment safety through recognised maintenance systems.
Communication
- Develop and maintain effective and regular communication with the Hotel Services Manager and Catering Officer
- Develop and maintain effective communication and relationships with food services staff and supervisors
- Develop productive relationships with residents as they meet in the dining rooms and for special events, as may be required
- Apprise the Hotel Services Manager of any changes, issues or concerns regarding production kitchens and/or associated staff
Technology
- Access, utilise and maintain relevant systems such as ManAd/LeeCare and Time Target.
- Ensure current knowledge of computer and other systems used relevant to the Food Services function.
Team
- Participate as an active team member in team initiatives and projects as directed.
- Contribute to the effective operation of the team by leading and contributing at staff and team meetings.
- Provide assistance to other team members as identified.
- All other duties as reasonably requested.
Organisational
- Participate in the quality management program of the organisation; comply with audit requirements and participate in audits.
- Demonstrated commitment to Lutheran Aged Care philosophies and values.
Personal Qualities
- Passion for creativity and quality in food production, presentation and service
- Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
- Cooperation and team participation
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Empathy and consideration for older persons
- Willingness to continue to participate in professional development
- Self motivation and organisation
- Flexibility and responsiveness
Selection Criteria
Essential
1. Chef qualifications and experience which demonstrate a standard of excellence
2. Current food safety supervisor certificate.
3. Previous experience leading and motivating a team to achieve high quality results in a demanding commercial kitchen / food service environment
4. Demonstrated awareness or commitment to learn aged care accreditation standards and quality processes.
5. Ability to maintain confidentiality of company sensitive information and the privacy and confidentiality of all customers and staff.
6. Demonstrated ability to work within budgetary guidelines.
7. Strong customer service ethic and demonstrated ability to exceed customer expectations.
8. Intermediate level of computer literacy; ability to use to a range of internal systems and programs; and use of Microsoft Suite including Word and Excel.
All LAC Staff are required to have, or obtain before commencement of employment:
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- 3x Covid Vaccinations (Any year)
- Flu Vaccinations (Current year)
Relationships
This role has specific responsibility to develop strong internal and external relationships. Key relationships include Hotel Service Manager, residents, relatives, Food Services staff, care staff, members of the management team (Facility and Unit Managers, HR, Administration, Property and Maintenance), contractors and suppliers.
Lutheran Aged Care Albury has been looking after people in the Albury area since 1959. We are committed to service excellence and care for people. inspired by our values. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who employ people based on their merits and passion for caregiving.
