Cook - Avamere at Hillsboro

Avamere•Hillsboro, OR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook prepares nutritious and flavorful meals for residents across varying levels of care. The role includes meeting dietary restrictions, maintaining sanitation and food safety standards, and helping create a warm, dignified dining experience. The Cook prepares daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, as well as alternative meals and snacks, and adjusts recipes for individual dietary needs and memory care dining challenges. The position also involves maintaining kitchen cleanliness and equipment, monitoring food temperatures, and coordinating with the Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff to align meals with residents’ care plans.

Requirements

2–3 years of Cook experience; hospital or healthcare facility experience is preferred.
Current ServSafe Manager certification or willingness to obtain it within 30 days of hire.
Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions.
Attention to detail when following and calculating recipes and production sheets, and when managing cooking and food timing.
Current Food Handlers card issued by the local Health Department.
Knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, hygienic food preparation and storage, and safety, supported by formal on-the-job training and approximately one year of quantity food preparation experience.
Initiative and sound judgment in setting up meals and utilizing leftovers.
Competency in operating kitchen equipment.
Interpersonal skills to establish effective relationships with department workers, supervisors, and other departments.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of resident care information.
Genuine desire to improve seniors’ quality of life.
Ability to create and uphold an atmosphere of warmth, patience, enthusiasm, and calm cheerfulness.

Nice To Haves

Hospital or healthcare facility Cook experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus; ensure meals are 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 dietary needs, including low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, vegetarian, puréed, and mechanical-soft diets.
Accommodate memory care dining needs, such as finger foods, enhanced flavors, and flexible dining times.
Create a calm, structured, and inviting dining environment that encourages socialization and appetite stimulation.
Follow food safety, handling, and storage regulations, including ServSafe guidelines.
Clean and sanitize kitchen, prep areas, and dishwashing stations at the end of every shift.
Monitor and log food and refrigerator temperatures daily.
Seek resident feedback and build relationships to understand individual preferences.
Collaborate with the Dietary/Dining Services Director and nursing staff to align care plans with resident diets.
Maintain kitchen cleanliness, food storage, and equipment in accordance with ServSafe and local health department codes.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance; benefits eligible at 30 or more hours per week.
Low individual and family deductibles.
401(k) retirement plan with discretionary employer match.
Paid time off (PTO).
Premium pay for holidays worked, conditions apply.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Free, confidential Canopy support for mental health, stress, family needs, and work/life balance.
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account (CERA).
Voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Whole life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity coverage.
Legal services.