Benchmark Senior Living (“Benchmark”) was founded in 1997 by Tom Grape, CEO, and is the largest provider of senior housing in New England. The Company, with its corporate offices located in Waltham, MA, offers a high level of services and care with the warmth and hospitality of home. Benchmark is a leading service provider in several key areas including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and short stay programs. With a choice of lifestyles and differing levels of care, the company can tailor its products and services and/or living arrangements to suit the needs of each resident.

Benchmark currently operates 64 communities in seven states.

The Memory Care Specialist works in partnership with the Corporate Director of Memory Care to establish and maintain consistent, effective, and evidence-based memory care programs and standards across Benchmark communities. The Specialist focus is within all components of memory care: behavioral expressions, programming, dining, and environmental aspects. The Memory Care Specialist has the responsibility to advise and support the implementation and/or sustainability of each community’s memory care program. They are responsible for innovation and implementation of processes and procedures to enhance memory care in assigned communities. In addition, they will assist communities to recruit, hire, train and on-board the Mind and Memory Care Directors (“MMD”). They are also responsible for providing support, education, and oversight of assigned communities to ensure compliance with regulatory and Benchmark memory care and programming standards.

Communities will be located in northern Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Applicants must be willing to relocate to the area or reside in Northern Massachusetts or New Hampshire.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resident Care

• Supports MMD in assuring that a successful move-in process is in place for new residents.
• Assures that the memory care program supports residents’ abilities by understanding that all aspects of care can be viewed as an activity.
• Models and oversees therapeutic approaches, interactions and interventions of Harbor associates focusing on the person-centered empathetic care model of Harbor, which always reflects and supports the dignity, privacy, respect and honoring of the individual needs and choices of residents and families.
• Serves as the educator/subject matter expert for memory care/dementia specific care concerns.
• Partners with Regional Directors of Resident Care to ensure quality of care and quality of life objectives.
• Partners with Regional Directors of Resident Care to facilitate memory care best practices throughout assigned communities, inclusive of cognitive and brain health initiatives, programming, and behavioral expressions.
• Partners with the Executive Director (ED) and the MMD in assuring proper staffing/ scheduling and care are provided to residents.

Strategy

• Uses growth oriented strategic planning skills to realize organizational goals and objectives related to our Memory Care and Resident Programs.
• Provides prioritized recommendations for implementation of clinical, financial, and operational best practices for memory care.
• Develops and supports pilot programs to enhance quality care and customer experience.

Financial

• Partners with the ED and MMD in accountability for Harbor labor hours and overtime for Harbor Associates.
• Works with the ED and MMD to create an effective associate schedule based on residents’ needs.

• Sets standards for resident service delivery including recommendation on staffing levels, roles, and responsibilities, as well as program differentiation and implementation.
• Reviews effectiveness of current programs, processes, and profitability.

Talent Development and Training

• Supports Executive Directors to recruit, train and on-board new MMDs on all Benchmark Processes and Procedures.
• Develops and implements memory care training and education programs for all levels of the organization.
• Provides professional development and training around marketing Benchmark’s memory care program.

• Mentors MMDs through profiling, training, and leadership development activities.
• Collaborates with Executive Directors and MMDs to implement strategies to increase associate retention.
• Participates in quarterly program strength rating process for assigned communities.

• Supports the MMDs in maintaining responsibility for all aspects of the Harbor Program and neighborhood, including care, programs, and dining.
• Identifies, develops, and encourages the growth of internal talent.

Compliance and Safety

• Establishes and verifies compliance with all Harbor resident care related regulations and Benchmark standards.
• Actively participates and provides follow up with QA/QRS plans.
• Assures compliance with all federal and state regulations and Benchmark requirements.

Programming and Engagement

• Provides guidance to the Executive Director, MMD, and community team in developing and executing effective programming and engagement individualized to resident interests and cognitive ability level.
• Educates all communities at large about Benchmark’s unique approach to programming and engagement in assigned communities.
• Positively influences and impacts programming and engagement activities for assigned communities.
• Ensures all Benchmark standards of programming are in place.

Vision/ Innovation

• Leads MMD to implement and sustain a lively and strategic program.
• Develops and implements new innovative programs to engage residents and families.
• Sustains knowledge and skill of the most up to date approaches in memory care and seeks to implement best practices as appropriate.

• Generates reports for Regional Directors of Operations including recommendations and plans in a timely manner following community visits.
• Partners with other regional disciplines and Executive Directors to assure communities remain in compliance with all aspects of memory care.
• Partners with the Regional Directors of Operations in reviewing labor and budgets for assigned communities to ensure compliance with adequate staffing and within budget.

Communication

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills.
• Effectively communicates with residents, families, and friends of residents.
• Effectively communicates with other care providers in a professional manner.
• Effectively communicates with community leaders, Regional Team, and all levels of the organization.
• Effectively handles follow-up issues as requested and in a timely manner.

Problem Solving / Decision Making

• Identifies operational inefficiencies and makes recommendations for process improvement.
• Participates in the evaluation of program performance and provides input to the regional teams and Executive Directors.

Public Relations/Marketing/ Sales

• Represents the company with pride and knowledge to educate outside groups and organizations about the community’s memory care program.
• Supports and empowers all MMDs as the experts and drivers of the customer experience internally and externally; delivers programs that enhance the customer experience, establishes relationships and markets memory care programs.

• Establishes and maintains compliance and resident care related regulations and Benchmark Standards.

• Must have strong supervisory, leadership and management skills.
• Must have strong mentoring and coaching skills; ability to inspire and develop others.
• Ability to be self-directed, flexible, and work in an environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to relate in a positive and professional way to a diverse resident and associate population.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding residents, associates and the community.

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, complete assignments in a timely manner while managing multiple duties and responsibilities.
• Excellent training and presentation skills – one-on-one and group.
• Aspiration to expand knowledge and refine skills through education and training.

• BA/BS degree in a health science related field, master’s degree preferred.
• Dementia care certification (CDP, CDCM or equivalent) required.
• Minimum of 5 years memory care leadership experience.

• Valid driver’s license and willing to travel 80% of the time.

• Two or more years of experience of managing multiple senior living communities or five years or more in a senior living community in a leadership or training role is preferred.