Memory Care Director

JOB SUMMARY

• The Memory Care Director is directly responsible for the initial and continual development and monitoring of the holistic, therapeutic, person-centered Memory Care Program on the Memory Care Unit. The Memory Care Director will achieve and maintain the highest quality of life for each resident with a diagnosis of a disease that causes dementia residing in or under the care of the facility.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Achieved a bachelor’s degree or four-year degree in Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education, Social Services or equivalent, and/or be a registered nurse.
• Have at least one year of experience working with persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Have at least two years of management experience with one of those years serving as an Activity Director.
• Must have the sincere desire to work with the memory care population.
• Have training in dementia care.
• Prefer to have completed the 36 Hour Activity Director Course certificate and a certified course in dementia care; if the candidate does not have a CTRS, OTR/L, LSW or LCSW, then the candidate must commit to completing the 36 Hour Basic Activity course (with requirements to be registered within 90 days of employment and completed by 180 days of employment).
• Have knowledge, dementia care education, experience, and marketing skills to effectively express the Memory Care Program to the community, other health care professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, any other provider or professional in the community and potential families and residents.
• Possess knowledge, etc. and the ability to apply that knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• Have the ability to effectively communicate this disease process to managers, direct care staff, families, etc.
• Possess the ability to guide and direct staff in therapeutic approaches effective with the dementia population on an ongoing basis.
• Have the ability to make independent decisions in the best interest of residents, staff, and families.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself and your staff.

• Have knowledge, dementia education and the ability to develop and maintain effective memory care programming on the unit.
• Possess organizational skills to run all aspects of the Memory Care Program and unit.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the willingness to drive the Alden bus for outings, etc.; and
• Must be able to read, write and speak in English.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, family members, personnel, and support.
• Must be in good health.
• Must be able to relate and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
• Must be able to handle the emotional complexities of the disease process of dementia and end-of life experiences.
• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture; and
• Is aware of being subjected to exposure of infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Commit to continued growth as a knowledgeable and experienced leader in the area of Alzheimer’s dementia and other diseases that cause dementia.
• Participate in interviews, disciplinary actions, and performance appraisals as they relate to the memory care aides, certified nursing aides, nurses, and any other staff that participate in the Memory Care Program.
• Coordinate and maintain unit schedules with a team approach and continuity of care; work in conjunction with DON/ADON/Unit Coordinator/Housekeeping, Laundry and Dietary Managers/etc. to maintain consistent schedules.
• Directly supervise all staff and volunteers on the unit. Seek support of and coordinate with other department heads that manage those staff.
• Commit to obtaining at least 12 hours of continual education annually for self and staff who work 20 hours or more on the unit. Develop and conduct all dementia care specific staff trainings, including the required 16 hours of orientation training and any other ongoing dementia care specific trainings for direct care staff; conduct at least monthly in-service training throughout the year; and maintain initial 4- hour dementia care training with ALL facility staff.
• Assist and participate in the marketing initiatives for promotion of the Memory Care Program. Develop and maintain marketing collateral and communication with all appropriate area organizations, healthcare services, and other professionals.

• Conduct pre-admission on-site assessments of potential admissions as needed; pre-assessments will be completed on all residents for admission, obtaining information from a variety of resources; maintain Admission and Discharge Criteria for the Memory Care Program/unit.
• Develop and maintain census and bed management for the unit.
• Oversee and conduct initial and all on-going comprehensive memory care, social service and activity assessments and MDS/CAA assessments, including, but not limited to, the following areas: social, medical, cognitive, spiritual, physical, neuro-psychological, mood/behavioral, level of functioning, communication, activity/leisure, amongst others. The information gathered will be used to create a holistic, therapeutic, person-centered memory care program.
• Assess, develop, and implement any Advanced Directives. Provide education to families, legal representatives, staff, and residents, as able, in the area of Advanced Directives.
• Assess, create, implement, and maintain any communication needs of residents, such as language services, communication boards, assistive devices, etc. Educate residents, family and staff utilizing these mechanisms to provide ample communication.
• Become knowledgeable of each individual resident’s background, life history, disease, medical and behavioral care needs, and preferences in detail to develop and ensure an appropriate person-centered plan of care.
• Participate and mediate care plan meetings with staff and family members. Continuously communicate with family members. Document all pertinent communications between family and staff.
• Develop and maintain a therapeutic, person-centered memory care activity program that constantly strives to enhance the quality of life of each resident, meets the Memory Care Program Mission and Philosophy, and upholds the Memory Care policies and procedures and all state and federal standards. Assess and monitor both group and 1:1 activity programming.
• Complete and monitor all required activity participation documentation.
• Develop and conduct the Family Orientation Program. Provide continuous training to families as needed. Encourage family involvement through volunteering and visitation.
• Manage monthly Family Council Meetings. Follow-up timely on any concerns brought forth.
• Provide emotional, caring support to residents, families, and the inter-disciplinary team.
• Provide a clean, safe, non-hazardous unit for the residents and staff; conduct ongoing environmental rounds to uphold a home-like and safe atmosphere.
• Develop and maintain an individualized symptom management tracking system as needed per resident, including development and maintenance of individualized, non-pharmacological interventions implemented. Analyze data derived from this system to alter how to manage symptoms that will be best for resident care. Provide leadership through modeling and training on individualized symptom management.

• Provide psycho-social programming in conjunction with the Memory Care group and 1:1 programming, as assessed as appropriate for residents.
• Assist with aspects of the Psychotropic Medication Program as it relates to the population on the Memory Care Unit and the facility, if needed.
• Involvement in Accidents and Incidents process, in conjunction with the inter- disciplinary team to determine root cause, create in-services, develop processes, and/or develop care plans that will decrease accident/incident occurrences.
• Assess for any discharge needs starting at admission. Conduct discharge planning if required.
• Conduct audits on aspects of the Memory Care Program/unit monthly to quarterly to maintain a successful and compliant program.
• Be a presence and leader on the floor. Lead by example.
• Participate in the complaint/inquiry process, as it relates to the facility. Complete all required documentation.
• Maintain all program policies and procedures and state and federal regulations. Develop and maintain relationships with all area’s senior services, organizations,
• health care services, and health care professionals.
• Become an Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Leader, a member, and/or volunteer of the local Alzheimer’s Association and/or any other local area organization that supports diseases that cause dementia.
• Be flexible to meet the change in residents’ needs. We need to adapt to their needs rather than expecting them to adapt to our needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.