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Career Pathways

Direct Care & Nursing

Culinary & Hospitality

Housekeeping & Maintenance

Social Services & Life Enrichment

Therapy & Rehabilitation

Administration & Operations

Culinary & Hospitality

Embarking on a hospitality, culinary arts or dietary services career in a senior care community can be rewarding. Attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving are essential as each day is unique. These roles differ from typical hospitality positions – you are serving a community that you can become familiar with and a part of. Responsibilities may range from ensuring residents’ comfort to managing complex dietary requirements. Not all roles include customer interaction, but this career pathway is ideal for individuals who want to make a difference.

Young man and elderly woman putting together fruit cups at the kitchen counter

A Career Pathway on the Rise

Opportunity for growth

This career pathway has a wealth of opportunities for advancement. It is unique because it often values practical, hands-on experience over formal education. It’s common for those in entry-level positions to earn responsibility as they gain experience. Ambition, hard work, and a passion for service are the cornerstones of success in this field. These skills are recognized and rewarded as employees prove their aptitude for leadership and doors to higher-level positions open.

Non-traditional work hours

Many hospitality and culinary employees work outside the traditional eight-hour, 9-5 work day. This allows for a flexible schedule, benefiting parents, students, and those seeking part-time work. This non-traditional schedule will enable employees to align their work hours with their lifestyle. For parents, this offers the opportunity to sync work schedules with childcare arrangements. Likewise, it provides students the flexibility needed to accommodate their academic schedules.

Roles in Culinary & Hospitality

  • Dietary Aide
    Prepare food for residents based on dietary needs and provide exceptional dining service.

    Other Titles: Server, Culinary Aide

    Salary: $16-$20/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Server
    Enrich the dining experience of residents. Often similar to restaurant-style dining, your primary responsibility is to ensure that each meal is served with care and attentiveness.

    Other Titles: Waiter, Waitress, Dietary Aide, Culinary Aide

    Salary: $16-$20/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Guest Services
    Guest Services are often the first face that visitors see when entering a community. This role involves checking in visitors, addressing questions, triaging phone calls, and creating a welcoming environment for visitors, residents, and staff.

    Other Titles: Receptionists, Hospitality Assistant, Guest Relations Coordinator

    Salary: $16-$20/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Director of Culinary Services
    This advanced role helps manage and oversee all culinary and supervise hospitality operations and staff.

    Other Titles: Director of Food Services, Culinary Director, Director of Dining Services, Nutrition & Culinary Services Director, Director of Culinary Services, Vice President of Culinary Services

    Salary: $33-$38/hr
    Experience:

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • Registered Dietician
    Provide personalized nutrition care, develop tailored meal plans, offer education and counseling, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards to enhance the health and well-being of residents.

    Other Titles: Nutritionist, Clinical Nutritionist, Licensed Dietician

    Salary: $32-$37/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    2
    year(s)

  • Head Chef
    Lead menu planning, food preparation, and kitchen operations to provide nutritious meals catering to residents’ diverse dietary needs and likes.

    Other Titles: Executive Chef

    Salary: $25-$29/hr
    Experience:
    2

    –

    5
    year(s)

  • Sous Chef
    Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing kitchen operations, supervising staff, and ensuring the delivery of nutritious meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs.

    Other Titles: Second Chef, Assistant Chef

    Salary: $18-$24/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    2
    year(s)

  • Cook
    Prepare nutritious meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs and preferences while maintaining a clean and organized kitchen environment.

    Other Titles: Chef, Line Cook, Prep Cook

    Salary: $18-$22/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • You’re the best part of my day.

    I remember one particular resident when I was early on in my career, and of course I was 16, 17 years old at the time. And I walked in and she said, you’re the best part of my day. And at the moment, you know, I was like, that makes me feel good.
    Brittni Berg
    RN BSN Director of Nursing