Senior Living Jobs

The Senior Living Industry is unique because it includes a balance of hospitality, residential housing, and healthcare. Senior living jobs are focused in those areas. Due to an aging population with care needs, jobs in senior living are also well-suited to become stable and rewarding careers.

Four General Types of Senior Living Jobs

When it comes to available positions, senior living communities may vary in their titles and roles. State regulations, community size, and/or company brand standards may also dictate the title of a role in senior living. Read on to learn about some of the potential roles that one may find in a senior living company.

Management

While some of the management positions fall within the other categories below, there are management positions that are solely responsible for the operation and sales of the community. The operations and sales managers of a senior living company usually have a combination of education and experience. In addition to education and experience, the head manager, usually called the Administrator or Executive Director, is required to have licensing from the state that they are working in when working in Assisted Living, Residential Care Facilities, Memory Care, or Skilled Nursing communities.

Some of the management titles of these roles include:

• Executive Director

• Manager

• Administrator

• Assistant Administrator

• Human Resources Director

• Business Office Manager

• Sales Manager

• Community Relations Director

• Accounts Payable

Care

The care employees of a senior living company directly participate in the health and well-being of residents. Entry-level care positions are perfect for one who wants to get their foot in the door of health care. Entry-level positions often offer on-the-job training with a pathway for continued training and job development. Other healthcare positions require licensures, such as a Licensed Nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant.

Some of the titles of a care role in senior living include:

• Caregiver

• Medication Assistant/ Med Tech

• Resident Care Coordinator

• CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

• LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)

• RN Consultant (Registered Nurse)

• Resident Care Manager

• Physical Therapist

Types of Senior Living Jobs | RadiantCareers.com

Life Enrichment

One of the major benefits of residential living is that the residents have ample opportunity and choice for things like meals, activities, wellness, and entertainment. Typically, there are entry-level, experienced, and management roles within this category.

Some of the titles of a life enrichment role in senior living include:

• Activities Assistant

• Life Enrichment Director/ Activities Director / Health & Wellness Coordinator

• Server

• Bus Driver

• Cook

• Receptionist

• Dining Services Manager

• Dietician

Environmental Services

Like an apartment or hotel, a care community needs regular upkeep, repairs, maintenance, and landscaping. Team members working in the environmental services area of senior living will be a part of their residents’ lives by taking care of the overall environment. Positions in environmental services vary from entry-level to skilled.

Some of the titles of an environmental services role in senior living include:

• Director of Environmental Services/ Maintenance Director

• Housekeeper

• Maintenance Tech

• Landscaper

Senior Living Corporations

Some senior living companies have multiple locations. When there are multiple locations, there is usually additional support for the communities in the form of a corporate home office. A senior living home office will have additional career opportunities.

Possible titles of senior living corporations:

• Chief Executives (CEO, COO, CFO, CMO)

• Vice Presidents (VP of Operations, VP of Sales & Marketing, etc.)

• Director positions in areas of Life Enrichment, Environmental Services, Operations, Clinical Services, Dietary Services, Human Resources, and Marketing

• Accountants

• Payroll

• Accounts Payable

• Accounts Receivable

• Administrative Support Positions

• Marketing Roles (Social Media and Marketing Specialist, Graphic Designer, etc.)

• Clinical Support Positions

As you can see, there are many opportunities in the senior living industry to fit a variety of interests and skills. The one thing that truly sets those who are successful in senior living apart from those who are not is their passion for resident care.

Do you work in senior living? If so, what role did you start out with and where are you now? We'd love to know in the comments!