Cook

Avamere; Saint Helens (OR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Attendance bonus

Job summary

Avamere at St Helens is seeking a Cook to prepare nutritious meals for residents across care levels, ensure dietary compliance, and uphold high sanitation standards in a warm, home-like dining setting.

The role requires 2–3 years of cook experience, ServSafe certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days), and strong attention to detail. A current Food Handlers card is required; collaboration with nursing staff is essential.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of Cook experience, hospital or healthcare facility experience preferred.
• ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions with attention to detail.
• Requires a current Food Handlers card issued by local Health Department.
• Demonstrated knowledge of high standards of food preparation, sanitation and safe storage.
• Initiative and sound judgment in setting up meals and utilizing leftovers.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring meals are visually appealing, properly seasoned, and served at the correct temperature.
• Prepare alternative menu options and snacks for residents with changing appetites.
• Adapt recipes to meet dietary needs (low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, texture-modified).
• Accommodate dining challenges of memory care residents with flexible dining times.
• Maintain a calm, structured, and inviting dining environment and encourage socialization.
• Adhere to ServSafe guidelines for safety and sanitation and ensure cleanliness of kitchen areas.
• Monitor and log food and refrigerator temperatures daily for quality control.
• Collaborate with Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff to align care plans with resident diets.

Skills

Cook experience

ServSafe Manager certification

Attention to detail

Reading and following directions

Food safety knowledge

Team collaboration

Job description

Cook

Type: Part-Time

Shift/Schedule: Various schedule, Weekend availability needed

Wage: $18.89-24.65/hr DOE

Attendance bonus: The perfect attendance bonus in a pay period will be $100.00 for a full-time employee and $75.00 for a part-time employee.

Location: Avamere at St Helens - 2400 Gable Road, St Helens, OR 97051

Job Summary

The Cook will be responsible for preparing nutritious, flavorful meals for residents across varying levels of care. You will ensure compliance with dietary restrictions, maintain impeccable sanitation standards, and create a warm, dignified dining experience that feels like home.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Execute daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring food is visually appealing, properly seasoned, and served at the correct temperature.
• Prepare alternative menu options and snacks as needed for residents with changing appetites.
• Adapt recipes to meet specific dietary needs (e.g., low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, and texture-modified diets like puréed or mechanical soft).
• Understand and accommodate the unique dining challenges of memory care residents (e.g., finger foods, enhanced flavors, and flexible dining times).
• Create a calm, structured, and inviting dining environment that encourages socialization and appetite stimulation.
• Adhere to strict food safety, handling, and storage regulations (ServSafe guidelines).
• Ensure the kitchen, prep areas, and dishwashing stations are cleaned and sanitized at the end of every shift.
• Monitor and log food and refrigerator temperatures daily to guarantee quality control.,
• Maintain a resident-first approach, actively seeking feedback and building relationships to understand individual preferences.
• Collaborate with the Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff to ensure care plans align with resident diets.
• Maintain the highest standards of kitchen cleanliness, food storage, and equipment maintenance in accordance with ServSafe and local health department codes.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications

• 2–3 years of Cook experience: Hospital or Healthcare facility experience preferred.
• Current ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions and pay close attention to details in order to follow and calculate recipes and production sheets, and to pay constant attention to cooking and the timing of foods.
• Requires a current Food Handlers card issued by local Health Department
• Demonstrated knowledge of high standards of food preparation, sanitation, hygienic methods of food preparation and storage, and safety with formal on-the-job training, and approximately one year of experience in quantity food preparation in order to have the necessary technical skills to maintain high standards of food preparation.
• Demonstrates initiative and sound judgment in setting up meals and utilizing leftovers.
• Demonstrates competency in operating kitchen equipment.
• Interpersonal skills are necessary to establish effective relationships with department workers, supervisors, and with other departments.
• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information.
• A genuine desire to improve the quality of life for seniors.
• Create and uphold an atmosphere