Because of our rapidly aging population and the care individuals will need as they grow older, the senior living industry should have ample employment opportunities for many years to come.
Although requirements and responsibilities vary from community to community, the following is a description of some of the jobs that may be found within a senior living, assisted living, or memory care community.
Senior Living Job Descriptions
Executive Director
The Executive Director position is responsible to lead, develop, and execute successful plans for daily operations, community relations, project development and management, and will foster a positive and nurturing community atmosphere for residents and their friends and families, as well as team members while maintaining compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Staff Accountant
Senior living communities and property management firms specializing in Senior Living hire experienced staff accountant. These jobs usually require a four-year accounting degree, a minimum of two years experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable and financial statement preparation and strong communication skills.
Senior Living or Assisted Living Sales Manager
Sales Managers work with the Community Executive Directors in creating robust marketing plans, ensuring relationships within the community, analyzing data, and increasing occupancy. You should be able to manage deadline-driven census development, have proven innovative sales tactics, be knowledgeable of the senior living industry, competent with various sales software and a BA/BS and/or three to five years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Marketing Director
This job is often combined with the Sales Manager position. Marketing Directors are required to drive a large volume of business into a community through events and networking within the local area to include hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physicians as well as connecting with business professionals in local organizations, clubs and professional association groups. They also provide tours. Strong outside sales and closing experience is required. Service industry or service related sales experience and/or health care sales experience is preferred.
Activities Director
The Activities Director is responsible for the development and implementation of a stimulating activity program encompassing physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual activities for residents. Programs will address needs of all seniors from active to those in declining physical abilities. The Activities Director must be professional, display genuine concern for seniors and act maturely in dealing with others. Experience in supervision and management preferred.
Wellness Director
The Wellness Director is responsible for the quality of resident care, and schedules employees including Nurses, Aides and other staff members to ensure that there are enough people to provide adequate care. Additional responsibilities include communicating with families and friends of residents, assuring compliance with all resident care related regulations (e.g., medication management), documenting and providing accurate record-keeping, and demonstrating personal/resident safety methods and procedures. Requirements include being a Registered Nurse and usually a minimum of two years of experience in a care setting.
Senior Living Nurses
A Senior Living Nurse is responsible for the independent supervision of the delivery of care to a group of residents in a nursing unit, including assessing resident needs, development of individual care plans, administering nursing care, evaluating nursing care, and supervising Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and other personnel in the delivery of nursing care. Job requirements include a current, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), clinical assessment skills, the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action, knowledge of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to long-term care. positive attitude toward seniors, and specialty skills specific to geriatrics.
Care Associates or Nursing Assistants
Care Associates provide direct care to residents following an individual service plan; assist residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting; transfer residents to and from activities and meals according to their individual needs; and serve meals to residents in the dining room or their apartments. They also observe and record changes in residents’ eating habits, and report updates to their supervisor. It is important to foster a home-like environment throughout the community by encouraging independence and participation in activities and providing emotional support. This job usually requires a high school diploma or GED with previous experience preferred. Candidates must enjoy working with the senior population.
Therapists
Therapist design and implement the resident's care plan for rehabilitation, helping mentally and/or physically impaired residents to participate in tasks to restore, reinforce, and enhance their performance. Responsibilities may include communicate resident progress or problems family, physicians and team members; documenting resident care in accordance with regulatory, licensing, payer and accrediting requirements; instructing resident's family or nursing staff in follow-through programs; and maintaining equipment and work area in a safe and clean condition. Applicants are usually required to be graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program and have experience. If you would like to work abroad, you can also find a therapist abroad job offer.
Receptionist
A Receptionist is responsible for responding to incoming telephone calls and greeting visitors in a manner which conveys a friendly, caring, interested, helpful, and home-like atmosphere. He/she will also assist with administrative clerical support tasks in support of overall business operations. The ideal receptionist will have skills and experience to provide high level administrative support that includes but is not limited to: computerized record management; effective problem-solving skills; and be able to prioritize and organize in an effective manner. Fluent English speaking/written communication skills are essential. Usually requires a High School diploma/GED at minimum.
Chef and Cooks
Senior living chefs’ responsibilities may include menu planning; budget development and expense control; inventory management; meal preparation; recruiting, hiring, training and supervising of cooks, servers and dishwashers; coordination of special events planning and holiday dinners; and regulatory compliance. A degree in a related field and experience are usually required. Cooks assist the Chef on meal preparation, production and the service line, and usually are responsible for work area and equipment clean-up.
Wait staff
The Wait staff provides service to residents and guests by serving meals in dining rooms and eating areas. Candidates must have good verbal communication skills and be sensitive to the needs of seniors. Some kitchen prep, cleaning, and dish room duties are usually required.
Facilities Director
The Director of Facilities Operations is responsible for directing facilities maintenance operations of building(s) and property. The Director of Facilities Operations manages the preventative maintenance and reactive repair of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, utilities; and manages the hiring, training and supervision of staff, professionals and management. The Director of Facilities Operations manages a safe and efficient working environment, essential to the performance of the business. The Director may oversee construction work and often manages grounds keeping, laundry, food, security, inventory, mail, and concierge services. Requirements may include a proven track record of successful Facilities Management leadership experience and strong technical knowledge of the following: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, safety systems, architectural, landscape and energy management.
Maintenance workers
Maintenance workers are responsible for maintaining the physical integrity of the community at all times. This involves insuring a safe and secure living environment for residents, visitors, and co-workers. Maintenance workers will anticipate, identify, and correct any and all problems involving the property and implement procedures preventing such problems. An effective program of maintenance is essential in order to maintain a safe environment, cultivate resident satisfaction and protect the investment of the property owner. Tasks include plumbing and electrical repairs, light carpentry, glass and screen replacements, unit turns, painting, and cleaning
Groundskeepers
A groundskeeper maintains grounds by cutting, edging and trimming grass and shrubbery around walks, landscape beds and walls, removing fallen limbs and debris and cleaning and maintaining the appearance of driveways, parking lots and grounds. He or she provides cold weather grounds maintenance and safety through snow shoveling and removal and spreading salt; cares for landscape plants, pruning scrubs and trees and removing damaged foliage and debris; maintains all lawn equipment and conducts equipment maintenance, lubricating and cleaning machinery and reporting any equipment malfunctions. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and must possess knowledge of grounds keeping equipment and mechanical ability.
Driver
A driver in a senior living community usually conducts daily van runs to transport residents to and from the community for scheduled appointments, special events, and as directed. Inspects vehicle prior to each trip to ensure safety, including lights, brakes, tires, wheelchair lift, seat belts, etc. Reports any problems to supervisor for follow-up and repairs. Exhibits safe and standard driving practices when operating vehicles. Assists participants on and off the vehicle, and escorts them into the Center or residence as necessary. Assures all passengers are safely secured in the vehicle prior to departures, using appropriate restraint devices.
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