Culture | February 7, 2020

Community Roles and Responsibilities

Brookdale resident and an associate spending time together.

If you want to see what teamwork really looks like, look no further than the community of associates at Brookdale. From the nurses who care for residents and make sure their health needs are met to drivers who transport them to their destinations safely, everyone plays a part in enhancing the lives of residents. According to Charlotte King, an operations specialist and Brookdale team member for more than ten years, “There’s no job too big or too small. We are very much a team.”

“There’s a lot of communication that happens,” she says. “Every day we have a standup meeting. We start with the department heads and then we invite the line staff because those folks are the ones who work with the residents on a day to day basis. We need their input.”

No matter your career interests, there are a variety of rewarding roles on our team. Read on to get an inside peek at all of our opportunities and find out which one is right for you.

Health & Wellness Team

Includes: LPNs, CNAs, RNs, Medication Technicians, Caregivers, Health Home Aides, Health & Wellness Coordinators, Clinical Coordinators, Social Workers

Associates in the health and wellness department care for the health, comfort and medical needs of residents. “They are pretty much our lifeblood and have direct contact with residents,” King states.

“They care for our residents; they take care of their activities of daily living. Without them, we would not be able to function.”

Dining Staff

Includes: Cooks, Servers, Dining Services Director, Dining Services Manager, Dietary Clerk, Dishwasher, Sous Chef

When it comes to dining at Brookdale, there’s a lot more to it than just serving up meals. Taking into account dietary restrictions, having a fully stocked kitchen with up-to-date food orders, and even making sure the kitchen is properly staffed is all a part of the dining staff’s responsibilities. Of course, making sure residents are happy with their meal options is high on that list as well.

“We have a ‘yes’ philosophy here,” King admits. “If a resident wants something that isn’t quite on the menu, the team member taking their order will see what we can do about that.”

Resident Engagement Team

Includes: Drivers, Resident Programs Assistants, Resident Programs Coordinators

Residents have active social calendars. With help from assistants and drivers, the resident programs team is in charge of organizing and facilitating all activities with input from residents and making sure residents are living fulfilling lives through hobbies and other interests.

“We may take them to the bank, out shopping, and on personal appointments. We designate different days for all of those. We also want to get them on outings. In some communities, they take them on overnight trips, day trips and they’ve even organized cruises for them to go on.”

Sales Team

Includes: Sales Managers, Sales Counselors, Marketing Coordinators

The sales department plays a major role when it comes to introducing Brookdale to potential new residents and their families.

“Their focus is to go out into the greater community and do outreach. They let everyone know what we have here and build relationships in the community. Anyone that shows an interest in our community, they would be the first one to take them on a visit.”

Administrative

Includes: Executive Director, Receptionist, Business Office Coordinator

For the administrative team, there’s more to the job than just paperwork. Communication is everything. This team is led by the executive director, who oversees how the community is being run.

“The executive directors oversee everything and make sure everyone is happy. They have an open-door policy and are always welcoming to the residents. A director is involved in the day-to-day running of the community, including handling paperwork and getting out there and being present with residents.”

Maintenance

Includes: Managers, Maintenance Technicians

Simply put, King explains that the maintenance teams at Brookdale “keep our buildings running smoothly.”

Whether that’s landscaping, repairing air conditioners, adding a fresh coat of paint or fixing the plumbing, they’re prepared for everything in both private rooms and public living areas.

Housekeeping

Includes: Housekeepers

One thing Brookdale residents don’t have to think twice about is doing housework. Thanks to a team of housekeepers, residents have help doing laundry and cleaning their apartments.

“Housekeeping is responsible for keeping our common areas as well as our apartments clean. They work very hard at pleasing our residents.”

We’re always looking for driven, caring employees to join our team. Interested in learning more about careers at Brookdale? Visit our careers website or contact us today!