licensed practical nurse

nursing assistant

registered nurse

line cook

server

Emerald Communities

I have had the privilege of working at Heron's Key for the past eight years, during which I’ve experienced significant professional growth—from starting as a server to advancing into the role of Dietary Manager. Throughout my journey, I’ve consistently felt supported and empowered by leadership. Management not only recognizes individual accomplishments but also actively encourages innovation and personal development.
The workplace culture at Heron's Key is both positive and rewarding. There is a genuine emphasis on work-life balance, with thoughtful efforts made to understand how each employee decompresses after a shift and to support those practices. Programs such as peer recognition initiatives and Employee of the Month highlight the value placed on staff contributions and foster a strong sense of community.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of working at Heron's Key is the daily interaction with residents. Listening to their life stories, meeting their families, and becoming part of their extended community has been deeply meaningful. The environment here is warm, welcoming, and truly centered around people—both staff and residents alike.
Heron's Key has been instrumental in shaping my career, offering guidance when needed and celebrating every step of my growth. It’s a place where smiles are genuine, support is constant, and the work is truly rewarding.

Basically benefits of you work full time some of my colleges are great but management needed to get it together before putting someone in the floor that ha has issues with their hiring process then turns around and starts taking it out on us. We don't need a negative person with control issues bullying staff because that person had a bad hiring process and doesn't seem to know their place but wants everyone else to know it. Just do your job. You don't need recognition from everyone and leave the attitude at home. When you come in with a bad attitude on what you will and won't do PERIOD you make yourself look bad not others around you and trying to bully someone into respecting you isn't going to happen either until you earn it. And if your a nurse make sure you're aware of the residents back ground first before you start issuing what you call orders. If YOU know absolutely nothing about these residents or  have NO or very little experience with dementia then you really don't know much. That's not just my opinion. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The residents are extremely welcoming, executive team is responsive and collaboration between teams is great

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
We strive to provide the best quality of service and food.  The stress we feel is typically self-inflicted when charting new food or service procedures.  Ultimately, we feel that innovation typically comes with some stress 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
We have many employees who have been with the company for longer than two decades because of the vibrant culture.  There is a melting pot of different cultures that all come together.  Residents are amazing and thoughtful as well

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
It always depends on the day.  We have many events throughout the year, we're constantly trying to innovate with food so there is a lot of testing taking place.  We use some pretty amazing equipment in the kitchens so making sure they are running at full capacity and the staff understand how to use them properly is always a focus

What is the best part of working at the company?
Emerald Communities, Emerald Heights, and Heron's Key are all wonderful environments for people who want their work to make a difference.  We value every single employee, listen to everyone's thoughts or concerns, and do our very best to communicate with transparency and kindness.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
As with any healthcare organization, as the people we serve are going through medical challenges, it can be very stressful knowing that even when everyone is doing their very best, healthcare is uncertain.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Generally, everyone comes to work to do their best.  There is a friendly camaraderie between team members, and the culture focus is actually on our core values: integrity, courage, trust, compassion and respect. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
For me, it's either meeting with team members, speaking with residents, or working on various communications documents and presentations.

There was a lot of variety in my routines and a lot of interaction with coworkers and residents. I learned to use accounting software, Excel, Word, Outlook, fixed assets, actuarial software, a little about Medicare and Medicaid. The work place was beautiful with beautiful grounds. The office was fairly quiet with casual office dress. The management for the most part was great. Management for my first 5 years was very friendly, respectful, and helpful. After a new manager came on board, the environment changed to become less friendly, more disrespectful, and less helpful. The atmosphere became less like a family environment, and more like a corporate culture. The hardest part of my job was keeping track of the fixed assets, because there were so many of them, and they had never been correctly set up from the beginning. The most enjoyable of my job was the interaction with the residents and coworkers, and being able to plan my time according to my needs.

Emerald Heights is a place where you can really feel like you are helping making people's lives better. The residents are such awesome people to get to know full of many wonderful stories and experiences. It is an honor to be serving them as they are living their last years here.

I love the people I work with. It is kind of nice going to work where everyone is your friend as it helps pick you up even through a stressful day. I find myself just hanging out after chatting with co-workers/friends to help pick-up their days too. The free meals also pick you up during the day and eliminates a lot of need to worry about making a lunch in the morning.

Emerald Heights is a place where I feel like there is very good job security if you are hoping to settle in one place, where you are trained up to learn more as time goes on. I like having a steady job, having gone through the Great Recession where things are regular and predictable. If that is what you are looking for Emerald Heights is a nice place for you.

Its a not for profit facility. The residents come first and they care about their employees. Family is a driving force with this company and if you need time off for a personal family reason you don't have to explain it they give it to you they are fair and I would recommend working for this company. The health services administrator and the CEO are approachable they're easy to talk to if you have a problem you can go to them it really is one of the best places to work has low patient care ratios. There is also a strong sense of teamwork and I have never worked at a facility or the DNS or all of the managers would work the floor but they do here if you want a job where your work matters and your residence come first this is the place you want to be

Overall a good place to work as long as you keep to yourself and don't complain about anything ever. The usual back stabbing between co workers does occur . Once management talks to you about anything you can improve on it's like you're on their radar and will pick at anything. You can be fired out of the blue with no verbal or written warning. Communication between management is not existent, no one knows what the the other is doing as far as managing staff or schedules.

Working here was a great experience, despite a few mishaps here and there. The staff like to have fun and listen to music while they work. 
I did struggle with my higher up several times though in regard to his work. All talk, not alot of work.  It was my responsibility to do most of the prep following his lists but alot of the times they were incomplete, causing prep issues. 
There did seem to be some issue amongst the serving staff in regards to their workload and lack of workers. This caused division and frustrations that didn't seem to be addressed but the general management. 
Benefits are great though and they were very flexible with my schedule. All together, a great place. 

The residents are fantastic, you won't find better people to be around. If you like working with Seniors then it won't feel like work at all.  It has a very energetic atmosphere, which allows workdays to go quickly. The residents are also extremely grateful about the work you do. They will always have your back. Being reliable, motivated, energetic, adaptable, and organized will aid in your success while working here. 

The benefits are beyond expectation. You will not have trouble getting time off for vacation. The campus is beautiful and even has a hiking trail, pool, and gym, which employees have access to.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Licensed practical nurse 33 salaries reported	$45.41 per hour
Nursing assistant 51 salaries reported	$27.01 per hour
Registered nurse 12 salaries reported	$50.50 per hour
Line cook 21 salaries reported	$22.15 per hour
Server 19 salaries reported	$19.99 per hour

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