Many long-term care providers offer food service options for their clients, which can include anything from full fine dining experiences to help preparing meals at home. Many of these positions are entry level and most have opportunities for upward mobility. If you are interested in learning more about culinary services or starting on a path to becoming a chef or a food service manager, long-term care could provide the perfect starting point for you.
Alternatively, if you already have related experience, you could be a good fit for a leadership role in the food services side of a long-term care facility or team.
Oftentimes people who start in the kitchen or waiting tables at a long-term care facility find that they truly love the work and the clientele and end up exploring other career pathways specific to long-term care so that they can continue to grow professionally, challenge themselves, and work in a field that gives boundless rewards.
One of the most robust areas for job opportunities in the long-term care field is in health care. Whether you’ve worked with patients and clients as a nurse or medical assistant for decades, or are eager to try caregiving or another health care support role but have no experience, opportunities abound. From entry-level caregivers to nurse and facility managers, there is a position for your level of experience and training in long-term care. Entry-level health care workers in long-term care who are a good fit for the field are often given opportunities to continue their education and pursue certifications in caregiving, nursing and beyond. People who have strong active listening skills, are service-oriented and who are problem-solvers will do particularly well in this pathway.
Long-term care is also an excellent field for newly qualified health care professionals looking for hands-on experience. Long-term care also offers diverse working environments and clientele to give you variety and exposure to situations that will challenge your abilities and encourage professional growth.
There are many roles in long-term care that provide client support in ways other than traditional health care and food services. Other types of positions involve providing clients assistance in their homes, doing things like dressing and bathing or helping to manage housekeeping duties. Other roles involve providing clients transportation to and from important appointments or social outings. There are also positions available for people who have an interest in providing support through recreation and fitness activities. All of these important positions help enrich client’s day-to-day lives. People with natural service orientation and strong active listening skills will do particularly well in these types of roles.
Many long-term care employers require support staff not just for people, but for the buildings, homes, grounds, and offices that make their communities run smoothly. From administrative support at the front desk, to grounds-keeping across campuses, and housekeeping in home-care settings, long-term care has a role for you. People who are good at trouble-shooting and problem solving will be particularly well suited to this pathway.
In most organizations, no training is required, but some ask that you acquire a food handlers or workers card even if you are not working with food directly.
All food service workers in Oregon and Washington need to have a valid food handler or food worker card. The card has a nominal cost and is awarded after successful completion of the food handler/food worker test. You can find out more below.
All food service workers in Oregon and Washington need to have a valid food handler card. The card costs a nominal fee and is awarded after successful completion of the food handlers/food workers test. You can find out more below.
If you work for an organization that serves alcohol an alcohol service permit is also required:
All food service workers in Oregon and Washington need to have a valid food handler or food worker card. The card costs a nominal fee and is awarded after successful completion of the food handler/food worker test. Experience in a kitchen environment preparing food is preferred but not always necessary.
If you work for an organization that serves alcohol an alcohol service permit is also required:
Caregivers in Oregon do not need any special training though many enter the workforce with a high school degree or equivalent. Washington caregivers require certification and training, which is often provided by the employer. Find out more about necessary Washington certifications by contacting a Washington employer directly or here:
There are different levels of training and certifications designed for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Certified Medication Aides (CMAs). All CNAs and CMAs are trained in Board-approved programs and must pass a Board-approved examination. There are extra trainings you can do once you obtain your CNA qualification to progress your career and become a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) or a Level 2 CNA. CMAs can perform all of the duties of a CNA but can also help administer medications. Level 2 CNAs have additional training for specific care situations in Acute Care, Dementia Care and Rehabilitative Care. Employers that serve Medicaid/Medicare clients sometimes provide reimbursement (partial to full) for CNA training and testing. Find out more here:
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) candidates complete a state-approved training program and need to pass a licensing examination called the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses or NCLEX-PN. Find out more here:
In order to become an RN you need to have a minimum of an Associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university approved by the Board of Nursing. RNs with an Associate’s degree are excellent candidates for entry-level positions in long-term care. RN positions range from Charge Nurse roles to management roles such as Resident Care Managers.
Healthcare Service Managers or Administrators typically have training in the field they are managing -- such as a degree in nursing. Nurses at this level may be Resident Care Managers or Directors of Nursing Services. In addition, individuals in Administrator positions may have a number of years of experience in the long-term care field combined with an additional certification earned through endorsement or examination as a nursing home administrator (NHA). To qualify to take the NHA exam Administrator in Training Program must be completed. This program typically takes 960 hours of training over the course of about six months to complete. Alternatively, a unique combination of advanced education and experience can help candidates qualify for a Nursing Home Administrators License. A Master’s degree in a relevant field will give applicants a competitive advantage.
No special training is required though drivers are required to have a full, clean driver’s license and additional licensing as required by individual employers.
Most life enrichment workers will have a high school diploma or equivalent, though many also earn a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Life Enrichment Managers/Activity Coordinators working in skilled nursing settings will need certification in this field. Recreation workers who work in fitness might also possess a relevant fitness training certification, and/or a degree in Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Sport Science, Health Sciences or other related field.
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is typically required for these types of positions, and it is recommended that you have experience in personal care settings or in social work environments as well.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers typically require graduate school. For example they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D. in a related field. Find out more here:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required for these types of positions, and it is recommended that you have experience in personal care settings as well. Additional certifications are available, but not always required, though they will give applicants a competitive advantage.
No special training is required, though a high school degree and a good command of the English language is recommended. Sometimes further training is recommended, depending on an employer’s preference. These positions involve a good deal of physical activity.
A high school degree or equivalent is usually required and sometimes further training is recommended, depending on employer’s preference.Education and/or experience in using a variety of equipment and tools is also helpful in these types of positions.
High school diploma or the equivalent and some further post-secondary training is often required to succeed in these roles. For a competitive advantage, an Associates degree in a related field is also recommended.
High school diploma or the equivalent and some further post-secondary training is often required to succeed in these roles. For a competitive advantage, an Associates degree in a related field is also recommended. Medical Records managers may require certification in this area.
* This data was compiled from information available from the Oregon Employment Department and the Washington Employment Security Department and represents the average wage specific to these job types.