Long-Term Care Profession Overview

Making a Difference: Careers in Long-Term Care

If you are looking for a way to make a real difference in people’s lives, then the long-term care profession may be a consider employment and career options in long-term care. Nursing facilities, assisted living residences and homes for people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities are seeking qualified candidates who care about the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens.

If your priority is making a difference in people’s lives, then read on and consider joining the long-term care profession.

It’s All About People

Rewarding Career Paths

Our growing population of seniors, rehabilitation patients, developmentally disabled and mentally retarded individuals need caring, compassionate and fun-loving people to help provide their care and companionship. They need people who enjoy helping others. People who respect and value the contributions of our elders and individuals with physical and mental disabilities. They need people who always find the positive in often challenging situations because they know an uplifting spirit and friendly smile can go a long way in making someone feel better about themselves and the circumstances surrounding them.

Our growing population of seniors, rehabilitation patients and developmentally disabled and mentally retarded individuals may, in fact, need someone just like you.

The following are some of the rewarding career paths available in long-term care communities and more detailed explanations of the difference they make in seniors’ lives.

Activities

Activity Professionals: The Activity Director plans, organizes and develops the overall operation of the Activity Department to assure that an on-going program of activities is available to meet the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident. The Activity Director participates in formulating the plan of care for each resident, and ensures that the proper activities are presented to fit the plan.
Recreational Therapy: Recreational Therapy is designed to provide individuals with therapeutic regimens enabling them to participate in recreational activities. The recreational therapist provides programs and activities that are useful in preparing an individual to return to a full range of activities after an extended period of convalescence.
Activity Assistants: Activity Assistants are responsible for assisting in the day-to-day programs in the activity department. Working with patients one-on-one or in group activities, the assistant helps the Activity Director in conducting programs. Aides may be responsible for setting up and removing equipment or materials; transporting residents to and from various activities, and for assisting patients in various exercises.

Administration

Receptionist: As the first contact a potential resident, family member and the public has with the nursing facility, the Receptionist plays a key role within the organization. The Receptionist performs clerical functions under the direction of the Administrator or Assistant Administrator, and is also responsible for answering the telephone, determining the nature of the call, and directing the caller to the appropriate individual or department. The Receptionist may also respond to inquiries and release information in accordance with the facility’s policies.
Bookkeeper: The Bookkeeper/Accounting Clerk assists in the day-to-day accounting functions of the facility, and must understand the principles of accounting and cost reimbursement for Medicare, Medicaid and other payors. Many times, the Bookkeeper must deal directly with patients and families regarding their accounts and payments. The Administrator and/or the facility accountant direct the Bookkeeper.
Administrator: The primary duty of the long-term care facility Administrator is to direct the day-to-day functions of the facility in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern long-term care facilities, to assure that the highest degree of quality care can be provided to residents at all times. The Administrator is delegated the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out his or her duties.
Marketing & Admissions: Responsible for generating business and working with prospective clients, marketing and admissions personnel deal with families, hospitals and social service agencies to ensure that the facility is a good fit for individuals needing long-term care. Marketing and admissions personnel may have specific training in these areas.
Human Resources: Human resources personnel are responsible for recruitment and retention of employees, as well as maintaining records, benefits plans and other personnel related functions. The Human Resources Director may be responsible for hiring, discipline, and outplacement of employees.

Environmental Services

Housekeeping: The Director of Housekeeping, Housekeeping Supervisor, and Housekeepers are responsible for assuring that routine cleanliness of the facility is maintained, and that environmental safety, infection control, and sanitation are upheld. Housekeeping and maintenance staff coordinate efforts to ensure total coverage of the facility.
Laundry: Director of Laundry Services, Supervisor, and Laundry Aides are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and distributing facility and residents’ laundry. Laundry staff is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of laundry equipment; ordering and purchasing of appropriate supplies; and ensuring that infection control and sanitation standards are upheld.
Maintenance: The primary duty of the long-term care facility maintenance staff is the day-to-day upkeep and maintenance of the facility, equipment, and grounds. General repair work to more sophisticated knowledge of utilities, heating and air conditioning, power supply, safety equipment, including sprinkler systems, is required. Maintenance staff includes the Director of Environmental Services, Maintenance Supervisor, and Maintenance Technicians and Aides.

Food Services

Dietitian: The dietitian may be hired full time, part time or as a consultant and is responsible for planning, managing, evaluating and implementing nutritional services for the residents as well as oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures to assure compliance with nursing home rules . . . local, state and federal laws and accrediting agency regulations. In addition, the dietitian is responsible for educating residents about nutrition and administering medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team.
Dietetic Technicians: A dietetic technician functions under the supervision of a licensed dietitian and may complete nutritional assessments to determine nutritional needs of the resident including enteral and parental, conduct preventative nutrition counseling or education, conduct curative and restorative heath care and may help treat and prevent diseases and administer medical nutrition therapy as part of the health care team. The dietetic technician may oversee food purchasing, preparation and service within the food service operation.
Food Service Supervisor: The Food Service Supervisor assists the Dietitian in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operations of the Dietary Department and must work in collaboration with the dietitian and receives consultation from a qualified dietitian. The Food Service Supervisor oversees the Cooks and Dietary Aides, and is responsible to the Administrator and Dietitian.
Dietary Aide: The Dietary Aide provides daily assistance in all dietary functions as directed by the Food Service Supervisor, Dietitian, or other supervisory staff. The Dietary Aide serves and assists in serving meals, sets up meal trays, checks special diet trays before distribution, assists the cook in preparing meals, prepares and delivers snacks, washes dishes, and cleans dietary areas as necessary. The Dietary Aide often has direct contact with patients and plays a vital role in ensuring that mealtime is a pleasant experience.
Cook: The nursing facility Cook helps prepare daily meals and snacks for all residents of the nursing facility. The Cook is responsible to the Head Cook and Director of Food Services to assure that quality food service is provided at all times. The Cook must review menus prior to preparation of food, and must inspect special diet trays to ensure that they are correct.

Nursing Services

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Nursing Initiative, which includes information about financial assistance available to nursing students.
Nurse Aide: The Nurse Assistant or Nurse Aide is responsible for providing assigned residents with routine daily nursing care. The Nurse Aide has direct contact with facility residents on a continual basis, and is generally responsible for providing continuity of care for each resident he or she is responsible for. The Nurse Aide reports to nursing supervisors and the Director of Nursing.
Registered Nurse: They are responsible for the day-to-day nursing activities in their assigned areas and provide nursing care through special knowledge and skill obtained through education. They also provide direct nursing care to residents. The Registered Nurse may perform administrative duties, assess health status, provide health counseling, and teaching, and administer various mediations and treatments to patients that are prescribed by a physician. He or she may serve under the direction of the Administrator and the Director of Nursing.
Licensed Practical Nurse: A licensed practical nurse functions in long-term care under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. A licensed practical nurse is responsible for patient teaching, contributing to the planning implementation and evaluation of nursing as well as administering mediations and treatments prescribed by a licensed physician.
Director of Nursing: The Director of Nursing, or DON, plans, organizes and directs the overall operation of nursing services within the facility. The DON oversees Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and may oversee other clinical staff, and is generally responsible for ensuring proper staffing of the facility. The DON may also be responsible for hiring and firing of nursing staff. The Director of Nursing is responsible to the Administrator and the Medical Director. In the absence of a Medical Director, he or she is responsible for carrying out the resident-care policies established by the facility.

Rehabilitation Services

Physical Therapy: Physical Therapy is designed to provide residents with appropriate treatments in exercise, range-of-motion, coordination, and other rehabilitation functions. Physical Therapy is often provided following surgical procedures, accident or traumatic injury, and to aid in strengthening and reconditioning following extended illness or inactivity.
Speech Therapy: Individuals who have suffered traumatic illness or injury, or who have certain brain disorders may benefit from Speech Therapy. Speech Therapy works to not only improve the ability of an individual to speak, but also helps restore control over language, writing, and the cognitive link between these functions.
Occupational Therapy: Occupational Therapy is designed to assist individuals to perform tasks that may be used on a day-to-day basis, either in an occupation or at home. While concentrating on job-related skills, Occupational Therapy is useful in preparing an individual for returning to a home setting after an extended period of convalescence.
Therapy Assistants: The Therapy Assistant or Aide is responsible for providing assigned residents with specific treatments as designated by the appropriate Therapist. The Therapy Assistant has direct contact with facility residents on a continual basis, and is generally responsible for providing continuity of care for each resident he or she is responsible for. The Therapy Assistant reports to the appropriate Therapist.

Special thanks to the following affiliates for contributing to this material: Indiana Health Care Association, Massachusetts Extended Care Federation and the West Virginia Health Care Association.