Dietary Aide/Cook

Kalesta Healthcare Group; Madras (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalesta Healthcare Group is seeking a dedicated Dietary Aide/Cook to join our team in Oregon. You will prepare nutritious meals for residents in assisted living or nursing settings, adhering to dietary guidelines and safety standards.

We value experience with geriatric diets, strong sanitation practices, and teamwork with nursing staff. This role emphasizes compassionate service, proper portion control, and reliable kitchen operations in a healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in assisted living or similar healthcare settings.
• Food safety and sanitation knowledge.
• Ability to follow dietary guidelines for residents.
• Basic math for portion control and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve meals per dietary guidelines.
• Assist in food production, including portioning, plating, and presentation.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and maintain sanitation.
• Follow PPE and workplace safety protocols.
• Manage inventory and ordering of supplies.
• Assist with cleaning in kitchen and dining areas.
• Collaborate with nursing staff to meet dietary needs.
• Practice safe manual handling of supplies.

Skills

Healthcare facility exp

Culinary techniques healthcare

Geriatric diet knowledge

Time management

Sanitation practices

Dietary compliance

Portion control

Customer service

CPR certified

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Dietary Aide/Cook to join our healthcare team. This role is vital in providing nutritious, well-prepared meals tailored to the dietary needs of residents in assisted living or nursing home environments. The ideal candidate will possess culinary expertise, experience working with geriatric patients, and a strong commitment to food safety and sanitation. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents' quality of life through nourishing and appealing meals delivered with professionalism and care.

Duties

• Prepare and serve meals in accordance with dietary guidelines, ensuring adherence to specific nutritional requirements for residents.
• Assist in food production, including portioning, plating, and presentation of meals to promote appetizing and balanced dishes.
• Operate kitchen equipment safely and efficiently while maintaining proper sanitation standards throughout food handling and preparation processes.
• Follow established procedures for food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Support the dietary department by managing inventory, ordering supplies, and ensuring proper storage of food items.
• Assist with cleaning duties within the kitchen and dining areas to uphold hygiene standards consistent with JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) regulations.
• Work collaboratively with nursing staff and other healthcare professionals to accommodate special dietary needs for residents with specific health conditions or restrictions.
• Engage in manual handling practices for heavy lifting and safe movement of supplies or equipment, prioritizing resident and staff safety at all times.

Skills

• Proven experience working in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or similar healthcare environments.
• Strong background in food production, meal preparation, and culinary techniques within a healthcare or food industry setting.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements specific to geriatric populations and familiarity with dietetics principles.
• Excellent time management skills to ensure timely meal service without compromising quality or safety standards.
• Ability to operate kitchen equipment safely while adhering to food handling regulations and sanitation practices.
• Experience working with diverse dietary needs, including special diets such as low sodium, diabetic-friendly, or texture-modified foods.
• Basic math skills for portion control, inventory management, and accurate record-keeping.
• Strong customer service orientation with compassionate communication skills suited for working with elderly residents.
• Certification in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) preferred; knowledge of workplace safety protocols essential.
• Physical ability to perform heavy lifting tasks safely and consistently maintain a clean, sanitized environment aligned with health standards.

Join our team dedicated to providing exceptional nutritional care that enhances residents' well-being through nutritious meal service delivered with professionalism and compassion!

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person