Career Blog

We are excited to recognize our dedicated Business Office Directors! They work with our residents, associates and family members to keep our communities running smoothly. Get to know a few of our wonderful and talented Business Office Directors!

Business Office  Director: Kerrin Johnson
Community: Avita of Newburyport

1. What first made you interested in working in Senior Living?
   I never really intended to go into the senior living field, I was a Communications major in college. Both my parents are in the medical field, and I believe they instilled that caring and compassion for others in me. I also grew up visiting my grandparents and other loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living communities and could see the joy we brought them and their fellow residents when we came to visit.
2. How long have you been working in Senior Living and what was your first job in this field?
   I have been in the senior living field over 20 years. My first job was as an Activities Assistant at an assisted living community in Syracuse, New York. I moved to Massachusetts in 2005 and took a job as the Activity Director of an independent and assisted Living community, where I stayed for 10 years. At that time I decided I may want to pursue a career as an Executive Director of an assisted living community so I took a job as the Business Office Director to learn about the management side. A few years later I found my dream community at Avita of Newburyport.
3. What is your favorite part about working in Senior Living?
   I love the residents! The amazing stories they can tell about their lives and moments in history they experienced is so fascinating to me. I treasure the special moments when I can sit with a resident, hold their hand and talk with them. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry and sometimes we are just quiet and enjoying each others company.
4. What is one thing you wish everyone knew about being a Business Office Director?
   We aren’t just payroll and human resources. We are recruiters, trainers, number crunchers, debt collectors, counselors, employee event planners, file organizers and everything in between. I feel a huge responsibility to ensure the associates are appreciated and content, residents and families are getting the care and compassion they deserve and that our community is thriving.
5. What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living?
   Things are constantly changing in the field. The baby boomers are right around the corner, ready to turn the idea of senior living into something totally new! You have to be willing to learn and be flexible, be prepared to work hard and never lose that care and compassion that led you into the field of senior living.
6. What is the best part about working at Avita of Newburyport and at Northbridge?
   My Avita of Newburyport directors team is the best part about working here. We truly care about each other as a family and want to help each other succeed. We all have the same goal of providing the best for our residents, their families and helping our community flourish.
   The best part about Northbridge is the support that they are able to provide being a local company. Any time I have a question, the Home Office team is willing to answer it or walk me through the steps. They never make me feel ashamed for asking for help. I love that we are able to meet in person with the other Business Office Directors and Home Office team, it makes it feel like a team in that we can share ideas, issues and vent.

Start your story at Northbridge: Click here to view jobs.

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Working at a Northbridge senior living community

If you are considering a career in senior living, we hope you’ll consider one of our communities. Our team of associates makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents, every day. Because of that, we treat our team like family and we’re happy to offer:

• Competitive Pay
• Flexible Schedules
• Direct Deposit
• Vacation & Personal Days
• Paid Holidays & Sick Time
• Your Birthday Off
• Health Insurance to Qualified Associates
• 401k Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ongoing Education
• Associate Appreciation

View our careers website today to view open positions, what a day working at Northbridge is like, and why our associates love to work here.

As a New England senior living company, we pride ourselves in being the local choice for families in need of assisted living or memory care. We look to our teams of associates to truly make our communities home for our residents. Whether that’s a helping hand or a moment to listen to a story, our associates are dedicated and compassionate. With 19 communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we hope you’ll find your home here too. If you already love what you do, and want to love where you work, apply now! We look forward to meeting you.