Brookdale Sandy Springs

511 Pearson Springs Rd

Maryville, TN 37803

(865) 681-1300

Voted by Newsweek in 2024 as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Pet Insurance
• Adoption Reimbursement Benefits
• Variety of Associate Discounts
• Early Access to Paycheck with Earned Wage Access is available for Hourly Associates (outside of CA)

To support our associates in their journey to become a U.S. citizen, Brookdale offers to advance fees for naturalization (Form N-400) application costs, up to $725, less applicable taxes and withholding, for qualified associates who have been with us for at least a year.

Job Summary

In alignment with Brookdale’s Resident and Family Engagement philosophy, plans, coordinates and facilitates a calendar of person centered dementia friendly programs that meet specific needs of each and all residents within the dementia care community. Provides person centered programs while engaging residents in meaningful and purposeful dementia care programs within the Brookdale community enhancing their quality of life. Recognizes individual abilities and needs while encouraging independence and ensuring resident habits, historical routines, interests and preferences are honored in the provision of care and programming.

Essential Functions

1. Designs a 7 day a week person centered program that is engaging, creative and meets the needs and interests of the individual residents. Promotes and engages residents in the 7 domains of well-being programs in a dementia friendly structured environment; including sensory focused small group programming for residents who cannot participate in a larger group setting.
2. Develops a monthly calendar, in partnership with residents, based on residents’ shared interests. Ensures person centered special events and daily path programs are scheduled and executed as scheduled.
3. Ensures dementia care programs are in compliance with Brookdale Excellence Standards Tool (BEST), Divisional Dementia Care Site visit tool, state, federal, and other regulations and meet Brookdale’s mission, policies, procedures and dementia care standards as assigned by the Executive Director.
4. Collaborates with community leadership educating & providing resources to families and associates regarding Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This includes how to engage residents and lead programs on an ongoing basis. This includes facilitating and coordinating dementia focused in-services and or events for families or computer based and situation specific training for associates including Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care (UADC), as required by Brookdale.
5. May provide direct supervision of Clare Bridge Program Assistant/s, as required by Executive Director, which includes assisting with hiring, coaching, and counseling program assistant associate and conducting the documenting corrective action, as needed. Completes job performance evaluations. May act in supervisory capacity in absence of Manager or Executive Director.
6. Collaborates with community leadership in planning, coordinating, appropriately decorating, and participating in special events including holidays, signature programs, National Walk to End Alzheimer’s, family socials, educational and marketing events.
7. Reports changes in residents’ overall health to clinical partner, including changes in behavior; takes actions to address concerns in a timely manner and collaborates with the team in exploring approaches and interventions to address behavioral expressions.
8. Oversees social media content to ensure alignment with Brookdale’s culture, brand, and social media guidance and Brookdale standards.
9. Plans and schedules programming events outside the community, which may include driving a community motor vehicle.
10. Maintains and adheres to department monthly budget and expense control and may manage volunteer program.
11. Performs personal care, housekeeping and dietary responsibilities, as needed, to ensure service quality is maintained in accordance with Clare Bridge Program standards. Has completed training and qualifications based on state regulations to ensure service quality is maintained in accordance with Clare Bridge Program standards.

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. An associate should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor. 

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in therapeutic recreation, gerontology, education or related field preferred. Minimum two years of direct programming experience with older adults and persons with dementia preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certifications, Licenses, and other Special Requirements
Must have a valid driver’s license and a current 3-year driving abstract with no more than one moving violation as a condition of employment and may be required to obtain a commercial driver’s license based on the needs of the community

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb or balance
• Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Ability to lift: Up to 50 pounds
• Vision
• Requires interaction with co-workers, residents or vendors
• Occasional weekend, evening or night work if needed to ensure shift coverage
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and infections
• Potential injury from transferring, repositioning, or lifting residents
• Exposure to latex
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens
• Possible exposure to various drugs, chemical, infections, or biological hazards
• Subject to injury from falls, burns, odors, or cuts from equipment
• Requires Travel: occasionally

Management/Decision Making
Uses limited independent judgment to make decisions based on precedents and established guidelines. Solves problems using standard procedures and precedents. Knows when to refer issues to supervisor and when to handle them personally.

Knowledge and Skills
Has a working knowledge of a skill or discipline that requires basic analytic ability. Has an overall understanding of the work environment and process. Has working knowledge of the organization. Basic typing skills are essential along with basic knowledge of PC’s and word processing software, preferably in the Microsoft Windows environment.

Brookdale is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.