DEMENTIA WELLNESS SPECIALIST

Covenant Woods; Mechanicsville (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision

Long Term Disability

403(b) Retirement Plan

Pool/Fitness Center

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Covenant Woods is seeking a Dementia Wellness Specialist to enhance quality of life for residents living with dementia through person-centered physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness programs. You will design individualized and group engagement opportunities and partner with families, volunteers, nursing staff, and the interdisciplinary team to promote meaningful daily routines.

The role includes staff education, caregiver support, and guidance on dementia-informed care

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Gerontology, or related field.
• Master's degree in Gerontology, Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement individualized and group dementia wellness programs and engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with residents, families, volunteers, nursing staff and interdisciplinary team to promote meaningful daily routines.
• Provide staff education, caregiver support, and guidance on dementia-informed care practices.

Skills

Dementia care

Program development

Engagement programming

Staff education

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Gerontology, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Dementia Wellness Specialist is a dementia care practitioner with specialized knowledge of dementia care, engagement, and wellness programming who is responsible for enhancing the quality of life of residents living with dementia through person-centered physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness programs. This position develops and implements individualized and group engagement opportunities, supports a dementia-capable environment, and collaborates with residents, families, volunteers, nursing staff, and other interdisciplinary team members to promote successful daily routines and meaningful living experiences. The specialist provides staff education, caregiver support, and guidance on dementia-informed care practices while maintaining compliance with Department of Social Services (DSS) regulations, CARF standards, and organizational requirements. Embrace and model Covenant Woods business standards, Code of Conduct, and focus on the Promise in all aspects of delivery of service.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Gerontology, or a closely related field required. A master's degree in Gerontology, Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, or related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience supporting older adults living with dementia in a residential care, health care, community-based, or aging services setting.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating person-centered dementia programming, purposeful engagement initiatives, wellness interventions, or quality-of-life programs for individuals with varying cognitive and functional abilities.

Preferred

• Holds a dementia-focused credential or demonstrates a minimum of three (3) years of advanced dementia education and training. Recognized credentials may include, but are not limited to:
• Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
• Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Training or Certification
• Dementia Connections Specialist Credential
• Connections Trainer or Ambassador
• Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT)
• Other comparable evidence-based dementia care certification or credential

Full-Time Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental /Vision
• Long Term Disability/Short Term Disability
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Use of Pool/Fitness Center
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays