Assisted living jobs vary considerably, as assisted living centers often provide services that affect every area of their residents' lives. These communities employ administrators, personal care attendants, and health care professionals. In addition, these facilities also require the services of maintenance staff and providers of supportive services, such as cooks and drivers. The assisted living jobs available at specific facilities may vary, as the types of services available can differ considerably among communities.
Assisted living communities typically require strong management in order to function properly and to meet government regulations. In some places, managers and administrators of assisted living communities must hold government licensure or be certified by a recognized professional body. Some communities may hire social workers to assist residents and their families in making decisions about their care, particularly as the residents age and may need more extensive services.
Some facilities also provide a certain amount of skilled nursing and medical care. The facility may hire nurses to oversee the needs of residents, particularly those with chronic medical conditions. A community may also have a nutritionist on staff to plan healthy meals for residents and to ensure that those who are on special diets get to enjoy a varied menu. For those assisted living centers that provide services to disabled residents, an occupational therapist may also be available for consultations and to assist with rehabilitation after a resident has an accident or suffers a medical issue.
Perhaps the most common assisted living jobs are those belonging to personal care attendants and nurses aides, who may provide daily care to residents of the community. As many people move into assisted living because they need help with daily living tasks, these aides and attendants play a crucial role in the functioning of the community. For people interested in assisted living jobs, starting out as an attendant or an aide may be the best way to discover whether they enjoy working with seniors and would like to seriously pursue assisted living employment.
The management must usually also assume responsibility for the maintenance of community spaces as well as the homes of residents. As such, skilled maintenance workers are needed to keep residents' homes safe and in good condition. Other workers may include drivers who can take residents on short journeys and medical appointments, as well as housekeepers who keep the homes of residents clean and may even cook their meals.