Wide Variety of Careers Available in Nursing Homes

There are many different careers you can have at a nursing home. If you enjoy working with the elderly and making an important difference in a person's life, a nursing home career may be right for you. There are positions available for people with different levels of education, experience and skills.

Positions are available for orderlies who have high school educations. These people are largely responsible for cleaning, personal care of patients, helping patients to move from one location in the home to another and delivering meals. They may also help with activities and interact with family members.

There are typically two types of nurses working in nursing homes. Licensed practical nurses can perform many of the duties that registered nurses do, but there are several important differences. Registered nurses typically have bachelor's degrees in nursing while LPNs usually have only associate's degrees. In addition to the difference in years of education, there is a difference in the licensing examinations that each must take before they can begin working.

Each state has a different set of requirements for what LPNs and RNs are allowed to do but most consider LPNs to provide basic nursing needs while RNs may provide treatment that is more advanced such as starting an intravenous line. Often, in long-term care settings, both types of nurses work together to provide patient care.

Other positions available in long term care facilities include nurse managers who oversee the care of patients and handle the interaction with family members. They are responsible for tracking a patient's progress and noting any changes in either health or behavior. When necessary, they interact with doctors and hospitals to be sure patients are receiving the care they need.

Most nursing homes also have doctors who are either on staff or are affiliated with the senior's home. They make regular rounds to check on patients and be sure they are receiving appropriate care.

Other positions available include occupational therapist, physical therapist, hairdresser, recreational activities coordinator, marketing director, and facility manager. Accountants and file clerks interact with state agencies, private individuals, and insurance carriers.

Some other positions you may not realize are available include chefs and kitchen staff. Some facilities hire wait staff to serve patients meals in a communal dining room.

Social workers help patients to understand why they are being admitted to a nursing home facility. They work with the family to be sure that the patient and family have the services they need. They also ensure that everyone's needs are being met.

Therapists and psychologists or psychiatrists may be employed at a nursing home to provide counseling services to patients and families and to deal with the depression and other mental health issues that can sometimes flare up when a person enters a nursing home.

There is a wide variety of careers available in nursing homes. The common denominator in all of these positions is that they offer opportunities to interact with older patients and improve their quality of life.