At a residential facility for the elderly or people with disabilities, an assisted living manager is in charge of the administrative duties. He or she is in charge of the facility’s caregivers, kitchen staff, maintenance crews, and other employees. An assisted living manager in a large corporation may be in charge of a specific division, such as recreational activity planning or employee scheduling and payroll. The majority of managers in smaller facilities are in charge of all aspects of the business.
Making living arrangements for a sick relative can be a stressful and perplexing process. The costs, services, and benefits of assisted living are explained to potential residents and their families an assisted living manager. Before signing a contract, he or she determines if the facility can fully meet the person’s needs. After the initial arrangements are made, the manager can give the family a tour of the grounds, hand over keys, and introduce them to the staff.
Human resources tasks such as payroll, hiring, training, and scheduling are also handled an assisted living manager. He or she organizes training sessions for new caregivers and conducts regular employee performance reviews. A manager also establishes new policies and procedures to ensure that residents and employees are satisfied. If regional or national laws governing assisted living care change, it is the manager’s responsibility to notify employees and make the necessary policy changes.
While the majority of an assisted living manager’s responsibilities revolve around office work, it is still necessary for them to be able to provide personal care to residents. Most managers have received the necessary training to perform caregiver duties if an employee is unable to report to work on a given day. In the event of an emergency, a manager may need to assess the situation, administer first aid or CPR, and contact emergency responders. An assisted living manager’s essential skills include quick thinking and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Regions and employers have different requirements for becoming an assisted living manager. Many companies require associate or bachelor’s degrees in health science, nursing, business administration, or a related field from prospective managers. In addition, most employers prefer candidates with prior experience as a caregiver or office manager. Before they can start working independently, some regions require new assisted living managers to take certification courses and exams. A professional may be able to advance to a senior manager or top executive position within his or her company with experience and continued education.