Career Blog

Are you searching for the right career when you finish school? If you know you want to work in the hospitality or healthcare industry, you may be looking for opportunities to help others and provide a service that can enrich and bring fulfillment to their lives.

There are several options but if you’d like to make a real difference while creating meaning in your own work world, have you considered a senior living career?

Today’s senior living communities

You may be unfamiliar with today’s senior living, but the following are a few characteristics that can enhance your employment experience:

1. Senior living communities provide a genuine home for their residents
   Communities no longer try to create a home-like environment but instead are designed to be a real home to the residents. You will be part of the family if you choose a career in senior living.
2. Senior living communities encourage a team approach
   Communities know the importance of inclusion for their staff – whether it’s having the opportunity to voice concerns or suggestions, they recognize it takes a team to provide the best care.
3. Senior living communities place a high value on both the residents and staff
   Communities understand that it is the frontline worker who most influences the care and daily experience of the residents. The administration provides a healthy work environment and benefits that relay this philosophy.
4. Senior living empowers their employees
   Having the ability to provide the best care possible to their residents involves the staff being able to resolve any issues they may encounter, whenever possible. This creates a better experience for the residents and helps the employees feel more in control.
5. Senior living promotes the development of professional skills
   Today’s communities provide avenues for their employees to grow and improve their skills, including problem solving, best care practices and interactions between other staff members, residents and their families.

A senior living career

If you’re interested in combining your skills with the chance to make a direct impact on others from the moment you finish school, you’ll discover many opportunities if you decide to consider a career in senior living.

While job descriptions for individual communities can differ, here are a few opportunities available and a general summary of their responsibilities:

• Certified Nursing Assistant: Provides assistance and daily care, responding to residents’ requests, documenting actions and notifying if any resident changes are observed.
• Licensed Practical Nurse: Monitors and intervenes if needed to stabilize a resident’s condition, responds to a resident or family’s concerns, prepares and administers medications.
• Social worker or counselor: Assists new residents and their families to make the transition from their home to moving into the community. Helps residents adjust to the challenges of aging and life circumstances.
• Caregiver: Assists residents with basic tasks as needed and responds to their requests, documents actions and provides companionship.
• Activities director: Creates and implements engagement opportunities for the residents, maintains records of involvement and communicates any observed changes in behavior.
• Hospitality concierge: Greets visitors, answers telephone and provides clerical support when needed. Is knowledgeable about the community and may arrange tours.
• Sales and marketing: Generates and manages leads, coordinates inquiries about the community, qualifies prospects and assists in welcoming new residents and their families.
• Foodservice: Planning and preparing nutritious food that meets the dietary needs of residents, if serving as a cook. If a server, responsibilities include assisting in providing food service to residents and guests while building quality relationships.
• Housekeeping: Provides a clean and safe environment in the common and residential areas. May perform laundry services for the residents.

The advantages of a senior living career

If you’re considering a career in senior living, there are many benefits.

1.  A senior living career is in a true growth industry
   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, all baby boomers will be older than age 65 in 2030, resulting in one-in-five residents being of retirement age. Older people are projected to outnumber children by 2034, something that has never before occurred. It’s estimated that there will be 77 million Americans over the age of 65, compared to 76.5 million of those under the age of 18.
2. A senior living career offers job security
   Regardless of the continued advancements in technology, you can never be replaced. Senior residents will always need a human touch, smile and personal response to their needs.
3. A senior living career offers opportunities to learn and advance
   Continuing education is a priority in senior care and communities provide training or classes to remain up to date in best practices. There are also several opportunities to advance in this field.
4. A senior living career offers flexible work schedules
   Many available positions are needed 24/7 so you will have options that will work best for you and your family. You may choose days, evenings or nights for your optimum schedule.

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 18 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.