What Careers Can You Find in Long-Term Care?
March is Careers in Aging Month, which highlights the different professions one can pursue in long-term care and aging services.
To operate a skilled nursing facility, it takes a team. In most cases, multiple teams working together to provide a safe and comfortable environment for residents. Professionals across various fields, from receptionists to nurses to housekeepers, share a common goal and work around the clock to make the residents’ home a happy one.
Team members across Athena share the purpose of their respective departments and what it takes to work in those disciplines.
HOUSEKEEPING/LAUNDRY by Tim Shea, Heatherwood Rehab Housekeeping/Laundry Dir.
We work to make the home a clean and satisfying home to live in. Whether it is cleaning resident rooms or common areas, washing the windows, clearing the trash cans, or washing and folding laundry, we want each resident to feel at peace, respected, and safe. Our staff are personable, friendly, and caring and will often build bonds with residents through the work they do.
SOCIAL SERVICES by Lorie Kelley and Lynsey Price, Massachusetts Regional Social Workers
Social Services provides emotional support to residents, staff, and family. We conduct assessments both on resident admission and discharge as well as intermittently. We facilitate communication between residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members and provide crisis intervention and emotional support as needed. Common roles in the department include the director and additional social workers. To work in a social services department, a person has to be willing to listen and provide sympathy when someone needs it and find the best way to improve their social and emotional well-being.
PHYSICAL PLANT by Damian Sutkus, The Tremont Rehab Maintenance Dir.
The purpose of a maintenance department in a nursing home is to ensure a safe, comfortable, and well-functioning environment for residents by systematically managing and maintaining the facility’s physical structure, equipment, and grounds such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building structures. This is done through regular inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance all while preventing disruptions in the care and promoting resident well-being. The department director and assistants provide a positive resident experience, order supplies, check on residents to see what is needed, and communicate projects to the administrator. To work in maintenance, one has to have experience in building systems such as electrical, plumbing, etc. Most importantly, it takes kindness, care, and compassion every day.
ADMISSIONS by Sara Lindo, Rhode Island Regional Dir. of Admissions
The admissions team is most likely the first person you contact as a new resident or family member. Whether it be by answering questions by phone or email or possibly offering a tour to someone walking in, admissions assist the person transitioning into our communities with a warm welcome. Admissions often work with nurse case managers and social workers from community resources like hospitals and home care agencies to assist individuals seeking placement. Whether it be for short-term rehabilitation following a surgery or medical event or maybe someone who needs more support than they can receive at home, the admissions team will assist them in finding the right fit for their care needs.
HUMAN RESOURCES by Sandy Wood and Mary Prouty, HR System Business Partners
To assist employees in their everyday needs is what HR does best. Treating them with respect, dignity, fairness, and consistency while creating a positive work environment. Along the way, we are there to help through even the most difficult of times. We can never be too busy to have an open door and listening ear. It goes from recruitment, retention, and pre-hire protocols and processes to employee relations, labor laws, compliance, and so much more. HR also ensures that the company is kept in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and that it is consistent and fair in its own policies and procedures. Working in human resources requires someone to have strong interpersonal skills, the ability to make quick and effective decisions, and the ability to look at all possible sides of every situation and be impartial.
THERAPY by Stacy Rooney, Regional Dir. of Rehab Services
The therapy department provides specialized therapies including physical, occupational, and speech to help residents improve their function and independence in different aspects of their life. The goal is to promote an overall well-being, health, and quality of life. It is because of the therapists’ and assistants’ compassion, motivation, collaboration, and hard work that the therapy department can make such meaningful impacts on each resident they work with. Therapists earn degrees in their specialized areas from accredited programs and participate in onsite fieldwork, then become state-licensed.
NURSING by Lisa James, Massachusetts Regional Nurse
The role of the nursing department is to provide quality care to residents and implement personalized, individual care plans that meet the holistic needs of the residents. Our team of nurses, nurse aides, and other crucial individuals work 24/7 to ensure residents are comfortable. The nursing department and interdisciplinary teams care for the individual as a whole and are an important part of their recovery journey. As the largest department of a skilled nursing facility, the nursing team encompasses kind and compassionate staff members who are eager to do what they can to make a resident feel respected and cared for. There are many avenues one can explore to pursue nursing such as training programs and higher education.
FINANCE by Liz Perugini, Dir. of Billing and Collections
We manage all billing and collections and ensure claims and statements are accurate. Financial services require knowledge of billing and collections while understanding the complex regulatory state and federal guidelines. We work closely with residents, families, and responsible parties to address their financial needs, as well as provide guidance on the financial aspect of the nursing home, including assisting with Medicaid and managing their personal funds when they are no longer able to. To work in the finance department, a person must be able to multitask, follow strict federal and state regulations, be extremely organized, and able to adapt to the demands of the day with frequent interruptions.
RECREATION by Natalie Mihalchick, Corp. Dir. of Therapeutic Recreation
Therapeutic Recreation addresses a person’s overall health. We address physical health, which improves strength and mobility; cognitive activities, which enhance mental agility; emotional activities, which reduce anxiety and loneliness; and social activities, which foster interpersonal skills and relationships. Engaging in structured activities each day can improve cognitive and social functioning, enhance one’s mood, and has been shown to increase alertness, reduce falls, and decrease medication use. To pursue a career in therapeutic recreation, you must be outgoing, enthusiastic, organized, people-orientated, and adaptable. You prioritize “fun” and motivate others to join in. Adapting and designing programs to meet your population’s needs are a priority.
ADMINISTRATION by Patricia Salisbury, MeadowBrook of Granby Administrator
The Administrator oversees the operations of the nursing home. This includes facilitating with each department head to ensure their residents’ needs and rights are being met and the staff are supported. They make sure the facility is meeting the federal and state regulations, that residents are receiving the best care possible, and that each staff member is acknowledged for the work they do. A successful Administrator, licensed with the state after attending higher education, possesses qualities such as the ability to lead, to effectively communicate, and a strong care for others.
DINING by Kevin Dydyn, Litchfield Woods Dining Dir.
The dining department strives to provide the highest quality food for residents while meeting each resident’s specific diet, along with support from the dietitian. We create menus based on what is in season and what the residents would like to enjoy while highlighting the skills of our cooks. The team includes the director, chef managers, cooks, and dietary aides, all working together to prepare excellent breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Past culinary experience is great to see, but a passion for not only preparing great food but also wanting to create a happy home for residents is most important.
These are just some of the many roles one can succeed in in long-term care. Each staff member is valuable and necessary in their own way. We invite you to explore your next career opportunity with us! View all of our current job openings and apply at https://athenahealthcare.com/careers/.