Senior Living Cook — Part-Time/On-Call

Avamere Skilled Advisors, LLC d/b/a Avamere Living; 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

EAP Canopy

HSA / FSA options

Voluntary & Supplemental Insurance

Job summary

Avamere Living in Portland, OR is seeking a part-time/on-call Cook to prepare nutritious meals for residents at varying levels of care. You will follow dietary restrictions, ensure sanitation, and create a warm, home-like dining experience.

Responsibilities include plating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, accommodating dietary needs, maintaining ServSafe standards, logging temperatures, and collaborating with dining and nursing staff to align care plans with resident diets.

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.

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.

Skills

Cook experience

ServSafe Manager

Food Handler Card

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Avamere Living in Portland, OR is seeking a part-time/on-call Cook to prepare nutritious meals for residents at varying levels of care. You will follow dietary restrictions, ensure sanitation, and create a warm, home-like dining experience.

Responsibilities include plating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, accommodating dietary needs, maintaining ServSafe standards, logging temperatures, and collaborating with dining and nursing staff to align care plans with resident diets.