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From Job to Career in Memory Care: Growth Opportunities at The Kensington Sierra Madre

For those seeking more than a paycheck in senior living, The Kensington Sierra Madre offers a workplace where passion and purpose meet.

Designed to foster professional development, personal connection, and long-term opportunity, the community is ideal for those pursuing career growth in assisted living in California.

Whether you’re just entering the field or looking for advancement, you’ll find a home where each role can be a stepping stone toward something greater.

Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.

A Culture Committed to Growth

At the heart of The Kensington Sierra Madre is a philosophy built on Our Promise: to love and care for your family as we do our own. That Promise extends to team members as well.

This culture of compassion is what makes the difference between a job and a fulfilling, sustainable career.

Team members are encouraged to take initiative, explore cross-functional roles, and define what growth means to them, whether it’s developing clinical skills, pursuing leadership opportunities, or deepening their expertise in memory care.

From Day One: Comprehensive Onboarding and Mentorship

Every new team member receives a thoughtful, hands-on orientation tailored to their role and the unique environment of memory care. Unlike larger institutions, The Kensington Sierra Madre fosters a close-knit, relationship-based approach to onboarding.

Memory care new hires are paired with mentors and introduced to daily rhythms gradually. Whether you begin as a caregiver, med tech, culinary aide, or enrichment coordinator, the team ensures that you are set up for long-term success.

Positive Approach to Care®: Building Expertise

Training at The Kensington Sierra Madre doesn’t end with orientation. Ongoing development is a cornerstone of the community, especially with its certification in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® (PAC).

This dementia care framework equips team members with essential tools for respectful communication, behavior redirection, and person-centered support.

It’s a hallmark of the community’s long-term careers in memory care—and it enhances your ability to grow confidently within the field.

Learn about PAC Philosophy.

Clear Career Pathways in Every Department

Team members at The Kensington Sierra Madre enjoy access to advancement across departments. Many who begin in caregiving roles go on to become med techs, life enrichment coordinators, or even department leaders.

Here are just a few examples of how promotions in senior care jobs in Sierra Madre unfold:

  • Caregiving to Med Tech: With the help of internal training and shadowing, caregivers often progress into medication management roles.
  • Enrichment to Program Coordination: Life enrichment aides are supported in developing and leading their own therapeutic programs, from art and music to sensory engagement.
  • Clinical Support to Nursing: Several team members have gone on to pursue CNA or nursing licensure, supported through flexible schedules and peer mentorship.
  • Hospitality to Leadership: Dining and housekeeping professionals with leadership potential can step into supervisory or training roles.

The Value of Cross-Training

A key part of career development at The Kensington Sierra Madre is the opportunity to gain experience across roles.

Cross-training helps team members gain a deeper understanding of the community as a whole, thereby improving teamwork and confidence.

A caregiver may spend time learning with life enrichment professionals, while a dining team member might shadow clinical huddles to gain a deeper understanding of dietary needs. This approach broadens professional horizons and prepares individuals for flexible career progression.

It also builds respect across departments, an essential part of The Kensington’s collaborative culture.

Real-Time Recognition and Growth Support

Career development here is not a once-a-year conversation. Leadership maintains open communication with team members about goals, strengths, and growth aspirations.

  • Monthly check-ins with supervisors
  • Annual review processes focused on skills and long-term career mapping
  • Peer-nominated recognition programs
  • Opportunities to lead initiatives or join interdisciplinary projects

Support isn’t limited to promotions, it includes encouraging team members to step into new challenges, pilot enrichment ideas, or become peer mentors themselves.

Communication that Drives Connection

Effective teamwork depends on open communication. The Kensington Sierra Madre maintains strong communication across shifts and teams through:

  • Daily huddles in each department
  • Community-wide announcements for consistency
  • Care documentation systems that streamline updates
  • Manager open-door policies and small group forums

These structures keep everyone informed and supported, especially important in a high-acuity setting like memory care.

A Setting That Retains Great People

Why do so many team members stay at The Kensington Sierra Madre long-term? It’s the environment.

The community feels calm, respectful, and rooted in collaboration. Memory care neighborhoods—Connections and Haven—are thoughtfully designed to support both residents and the team.

Having 24/7 on-site nursing, interdisciplinary support, and smart technology systems means caregivers and med techs can spend more time focusing on connection, not just checklists.

Staying Power: Building a Legacy in Senior Care

Many team members at The Kensington Sierra Madre aren’t just looking for their next role, they’re building a lasting legacy.

Because of the community’s stability, mentorship, and structure, it’s common to see careers that span 5, 10, or even 15 years.

Team members often speak of the deep satisfaction that comes from witnessing residents’ milestones, supporting families through change, and mentoring new hires who become valued peers.

This long view of caregiving allows professionals to grow not only in skill but in confidence, empathy, and leadership. It’s not just about moving up—it’s about growing deeper roots in a workplace where every day brings meaning and mutual respect.

Who Thrives Here?

People who succeed in long-term careers at The Kensington Sierra Madre often:

  • Lead with compassion and curiosity
  • Seek more than a checklist—they want connection
  • Value mentorship and teamwork
  • Are open to evolving in their role

You don’t need prior experience in memory care. You just need the heart for it—and a desire to grow within a community that supports you.

Begin Your Long-Term Career in Memory Care

If you’re exploring career growth in assisted living in California or are ready for a more meaningful workplace, consider joining the team at The Kensington Sierra Madre.

From training to mentorship, from PAC® certification to internal promotions, this is a place where you can go from job to a career with purpose.

Contact The Kensington Sierra Madre
View Open Roles on Our Careers Page