Cook - Avamere Bethany

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living in; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Voluntary & Supplemental Insurance

Job summary

Avamere Living seeks an experienced Cook for part-time/on-call shifts at Avamere at Bethany in Portland. You will prepare nutritious meals across care levels, ensure dietary compliance, and uphold sanitation standards to create a warm, home-like dining experience for residents.

The role requires 2–3 years of cook experience (healthcare setting preferred), ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to obtain within 30 days), and a current Food Handlers card.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of Cook experience, preferably in healthcare settings
• Current ServSafe Manager certification or willingness to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Food Handlers card issued by local Health Department
• Attention to detail in reading, writing, and following recipes and production sheets

Responsibilities

• Execute daily menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with appealing presentation and correct temperatures
• Prepare alternatives and snacks to meet changing resident appetites
• Adapt recipes for dietary needs (low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, texture-modified)
• Accommodate memory care dining challenges with accessible options and flexible dining times
• Maintain a warm, calm dining environment that stimulates appetite and social interaction
• Follow ServSafe food safety, sanitation, and storage guidelines
• Keep kitchen, prep, and dishwashing areas clean and sanitized after each shift
• Monitor temperatures and log food/refrigerator readings for quality control
• Collaborate with Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff on care plans
• Uphold high standards of cleanliness and equipment maintenance
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Skills

Food safety

Sanitation

Team collaboration

Education

ServSafe Manager certification

Job description

Cook

Type: Part-Time/On-Call (PRN)

Shift/Schedule: On-Call, All shifts available, 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 Bethany - 16360 NW Avamere Ct, Portland, OR 97229

Job SummaryThe 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 of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and a calm and cheerful environment.

We believe caring for others starts with caring for our own teams. Our benefits are designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind—so you can focus on making a difference every day.

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans. Low individual and family deductible. - Benefits eligible at 30+ hours/week.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with discretionary employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Premium Pay for Holidays worked, conditions apply
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Canopy: Free, confidential support for mental health, stress, family needs & work/life balance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) options and CERA (Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account)
• Voluntary & Supplemental Insurance Options: Voluntary Life and AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability, plus Whole Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Services.

This position is subject to a collective bargaining agreement with SEIU 503

Avamere is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.