Regional Director of Resident Care in Assisted Living (RN)

Benchmark has been a trailblazer in senior living for nearly 30 years, operating 68 communities with 7,400 associates across the Northeast. With $3 billion in assets under management and $700 million in annual revenue, the company is experiencing historic growth, expanding its footprint from Boston to Washington DC. Benchmark offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities, positioning itself as a leader within this growing real estate sector. Senior housing has consistently ranked among the top three real estate sectors for long-term investment returns, and with the Baby Boomer 80+ population projected to grow over 5% annually through 2030, demand is surging.

To meet this demand, senior housing development must nearly double historical levels over the next two decades. Benchmark is outpacing industry growth, backed by prominent investors such as KKR, Prudential Financial, Omega Healthcare Investors, and Ventas, Inc. Its brand strength is reflected in its 62 Best Senior Living Community awards from U.S. News & World Report in 2024, far exceeding industry averages.

Benchmark’s success is deeply rooted in its people. The company’s purpose – Transforming Lives Through Human Connection – is lived daily by associates who embody its core values: Called to Care, Better Together, and Be the Benchmark. Recognized as a Top Place to Work by The Boston Globe for 18 consecutive years and certified as a Great Place to Work for eight years, Benchmark fosters a culture of inclusion, growth, and recognition. It supports employees through initiatives like an associate grant program called One Company Fund, Benchmark University, an Inclusion Advisory Council, and a Cultural Ambassadors program. With over 500 associates boasting 15-plus years of tenure, and an annual gala celebrating excellence, Benchmark continues to be a destination for meaningful careers and compassionate care – setting the standard in senior living.

The Regional Director of Resident Care (RDRC) develops Benchmark Quality Service in the areas of resident care, resident programming, and compliance to state regulations and Benchmark policy. This position promotes and integrates the mission and philosophy of Benchmark Senior Living in the development and support of the Resident Care and Memory Care guidelines, policy, and procedures, risk management, regulatory compliance, talent development and ongoing quality improvement programs. The RDRC is the clinical/healthcare oversight for Benchmark Quality Service and the Benchmark communities, always resident and family focused, and striving toward excellence in community service and profitability. This role will travel to communities in western CT, LI, NY, NJ, and VA. Monthly car allowance provided. 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resident Care

• Provides direction and assistance to Resident Care and Memory Care departments as needed.
• Monitors community resident levels of care and service provisions
• Monitors quality care measures and designs programs to address systems deficiencies.
• Acts as mentor to RCD’s/MMD’s and SRCD’s
• Provides supervision and direction of the regional Resident Care Specialist.

Sales  

• Identifies and executes needed collaborations to enhance communities’ service provision and marketing efforts with regional and corporate operations teams. Participates in outside committees and organizations relevant to Resident Care and Alzheimer’s/dementia care.
• Demonstrates the ability to represent the community in a wide variety of public settings, including, but not limited to, making presentations to large groups and meeting community professional and government leaders.
• Provides assistance to the Director of Community Relations, Executive Director, and department managers with particular attention to the medical, legal, financial, and business communities who may influence the senior market.

Strategy                                 

• Develops guidelines, standards, and practices for Resident Care.
• Collaborates with Resident Care Leadership team in the development of guidelines, standards and practices for Memory Care and Programming
• Develops ongoing quality improvement programs for resident services and memory care.
• Participates in development of new systems to result in customer/resident focused environment and company profitability.
• Determines and develops risk management programming and communication of issues.
• Performs trend analysis of clinical outcome and other “at-risk” reports.

Structure

• Sets standards for resident service delivery including recommendation on staffing levels, roles, and responsibilities, pricing strategies, and program differentiation and implementation.
• Provides support to Resident Care, Memory Care, and programming departments.
• Review effectiveness of current programs, processes, and profitability
• Assists with national contract management (to support Resident Care)
• Actively participates in risk management programs.
• Oversees resident and dementia care in conjunction with Regional Operator-providing direction and assistance as needed.
• Plans, implements, and evaluates a rent up occupancy strategy.
• Participates in the identification and development of product development and value adds.
• Provides routine quality and memory care audits of communities within the cluster.
• Attends tracking meeting when in the communities.

Talent Development

• Determines and implements activities geared towards leadership development among associates in Resident Care and Memory Care
• In conjunction with Executive Directors, is responsible for onboarding new RCD.
• Focuses on decreasing turnover and increasing retention of solid talent.

Training

• Develops and implements training and education programs at both the cluster and organizational level.
• Provides assistance and education of technology in support of Resident Care and dementia services.

Communication

• Identifies and executes needed collaborations to enhance communities’ service provision with regional and corporate operations teams.
• Ensures residents and families are educated about residents’ rights.
• Creates and maintains a warm professional environment.
• Assures that all associates are fully informed on the answers to the most frequently asked questions by residents, families, and prospective families.
• Facilitates regularly scheduled meetings with department heads and associates.
• Attends and participates in cluster Executive Director meetings.
• Manages appropriate communications to VP Resident Care
• Possesses 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.
• Proactively communicates trends, best practices, and current assisted living events to the field.

Compliance/Safety

• Ensures compliance with state assisted living regulations.
• Conducts regular site visits to communities within the region.
• Provides guidance to resolve community issues/troubleshooting.
• Creates and monitors community correction plans.
• Monitors the quality of care at communities within the region.
• Discovers and communicates state regulation changes.
• Ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations (i.e., OSHA nurse practice acts, etc.)

Human Resources

• Interviews RCD candidates for communities in the region
• Identifies SrRCD candidates within the region.
• Assists with active recruitment of open RCD positions.
• Participates in RCD development plans and/or action plans.
• Fosters RCD growth
• In collaboration with the ED and HR, takes corrective action and disciplines associates in writing if necessary.
• Provides input regarding Resident Care staff reassignments or terminations in coordination with Human Resources and Senior Operator

Problem Solving/ Decision Making

• Provides Resident Care/clinical/memory care expertise to the regional teams to aid in problem solving and making decisions.
• Strategizes with regional team about best actions to take to address regional business challenges.
• Demonstrates the ability to be innovative and creative and have patience, high energy and resourcefulness in problem solving.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE

• Must have a valid, unrestricted Registered Nurse license in assigned state(s). BSN preferred.
• Must have a minimum of five years of experience working with elders or disabled individuals, as well as demonstrated supervisory and management skills.
• Must have demonstrated Leadership capabilities.
• Multi-community experience required.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in Assisted Living industry and Dementia care
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to schedule, orientate and train staff.
• Understanding of infection control procedures
• Proficient in using MS Office and electronic health record systems.
• Understands and develops Resident Care Service Plans
• Understands advanced directives and end-of-life care.
• Understands and embraces the assisted living philosophy.
• Understands nursing function in assisted living, quality of care and quality of life objectives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state regulations. Proficient in using state audit compliance tools.
• Is proficient in time management skills and adherence to deadlines.
• Has exceptional grammar and documentation skills.
• Understands basic concepts of risk management.