shift leader

qualified medication aide

activities director

caregiver

care coordinator

Rocky Mountain Assisted Living

I was initially hired (over the phone, first red flag) as an Activity Coordinator for RMAL. I was told by the lady that I phone interviewed with that I had orientation on a Wednesday two weeks later and that I could follow up with her with more details once it was closer to the date of orientation. 

When the week of orientation rolled around, I tried numerous times to contact the woman who hired me before finally calling the main office. The woman who hired me walked out on the job literally days before and the people in the office had no idea who I was. Another huge red flag. They still hired me, but not for the position or salary I was initially hired for. 

The orientation was fine for the most part, the woman who did it was really, really nice. However, you get a 30 minute lesson on really important assistance that you will have to give residents (refilling and changing oxygen tanks, lifting patients out of bed, changing catheter bags, ect.) It was not nearly extensive enough for people, like me, who had never cared for the elderly before. They will hire anyone with a pulse and that leads to a lot of very young and inexperienced staff caring for people who need professional assistance.

When I finally came into work on my first day, I was greeted by a group of really young women gossiping in the office. They, again, didn't know who I was or where I was supposed to be working. I went through my first day of training and there were some MAJOR issues. 

First, a resident got feces everywhere. Bedding, clothing, carpet. Not a huge deal, it happens. However, besides washing the bedding, the girl training me had NO interest in cleaning up the feces on the resident's clothing and carpet. I was transferred to the house next door the following day, and I know for a fact that there is still feces mashed into that resident's carpet, as I visited her before I quit. 

Secondly, there was a resident that asked for popcorn, which we did not have at that time. The girl training me told her we had no popcorn, looked at me and said, "She's crazy." In front of the resident she was talking about. The house manager came out of her office and the two of them proceeded to talk negatively about the resident, in front of her, because she wanted a snack...seriously. I later made the resident a sandwich and she was extremely grateful. She was not "crazy," just old and hard of hearing. 

When I moved to the house next door, I was trained again by two different women. They were really nice and taught me what I needed to know about the job. The house manager was completely clueless. The staff eat more of the groceries than the residents do.
There was never enough food for the residents, it was beyond unorganized, and almost every time I worked with her she sat in the office on the phone with her boyfriend. She had no control over the people she was managing at all. There was a woman who told me she wouldn't mop the floors (part of her job duties) because the shift after her "didn't deserve it." The house manager knew of this employee's bad attitude and completely let her get away with it. 

The women there bragged about bullying new people into leaving, and unfortunately I was one of the people they decided that they didn't want to work with. I was given incorrect information multiple times about procedures. We did walkthroughs with the relieving staff after our shift, where we told them what was completed (laundry, dishes, ect). I would walk through and the girl coming in after me would have no issues about the work I did, only for me to come in the next day and have the house manager tell me that she complained about me not doing something incorrectly. I was told that caregivers can leave a bit early if their work is complete. I did this twice and was lectured about it by the house manager because the same girl who told me it was okay reported me for doing it. 

The gossiping is absolutely out of control and toxic. Every single time I worked with someone, they were gossiping about another girl we worked with. When I tried to tell my house manager that it was an issue, she did absolutely nothing to prevent it. 

On a positive note, the residents were some of the most friendly and wonderful people I have ever met. Talking to the residents is the only part of the job that I will miss. 

I left because I was horrified by the treatment of residents as well as the extremely clique-y work environment. 

I do not, ever recommend working here. There are many better organized and friendly places that you can work.

Rocky Mountain Assisted Living (RMAL from here on out) is a company that truly cares for every single one of its residents, but also every single one of their employees. To me, RMAL is my second family, my home away from home.
I have worked many other facilities where the care of residents was bare bones. In fact, I have been caregiving and a licensed QMAP (med tech) for approximately three years. That is not the case here. Residents and resident rights are top priority and making sure that the residents are comfortable, and thriving is what the mission goal truly boils down to. I am a C.N.A. and this is the only company that I have felt as if I had autonomy when it comes to patient care and making decisions within my scope of practice. I have advocated for residents’ multiple times in my short employment here, and my suggestions never fall on deaf ears (whether that be with Hospice, the company’s own Wellness Directors, or house managers). The company is also beyond respectful when it comes to personal emergencies and needing time off unexpected. For example, my daughter had surgery during the first month of my employment and had complications. I had to call out and was met with unprofessional-ism by a team member who is no longer with the company. However, the executive director reached out to me to apologize for someone else’s harsh words. I have never had an executive director reach out to me to find out what happened, but also believe my side of the event. Even a month later, I had a tragic accident with my vehicle where it caught fire on my way home from shift. I let scheduling know that coming to my next shift that night was up in the air, and no one even thought twice about giving me time to settle my affairs, safely. In fact, their first question wasn’t “when will you be able to come in?” it was “Are you okay, are you hurt, was your daughter with you, etc”. 
Again, I have never worked for a company in which put the wellbeing of their employees as a priority. I truly believe the owner and executive director know that you cannot pour from an empty cup. They together both want what is best for their employees so that way resident care is top notch.
Aside from the amazing leadership, the company exudes integrity. I have never once felt that I was being lied to, that information was being withheld from me. Again, this spills over to the residents and their care. 
Originally, I was going to be at RMAL long enough to procure enough experience to hospital/floor work.  This is no longer the case as I do not believe I could find the amount happiness. job security, and personal fulfillment I have with RMAL.  
P.S. -The company also feeds their residents and employees fresh food, has daily activities so residents can socialize, and they promote further education for their team. There isn’t one area where the company skimps.

I have worked with this company for awhile I started as a float I enjoyed all the new faces and differences in each home and felt very welcomed and informed of each of the residents care. Before each shift if I was ever unsure the house managers were always helpful to answer any question I had that was greatly appreciated. 

I would say this company's management has a great team they have always responded to any phone call or even a text in a timely manner they all have great way of showing appreciation 

The residents each and every one is different in ways that make the job exciting and fun each of them have a past life story about family, careers and so much more there is never a dual moment we do bingo because they enjoy it if not we find out what they do enjoy and try are best. Most like trivia or puzzles. I just got beat in cross words the other day hey I enjoyed it even though I lost. Some like to help cook others set tables or just watch and talk some paint nails or cheer for the broncos. I enjoy going to work every day to see each one. I also enjoy the families that come in and I am aware it’s not easy to have their loved one in a place but feel proud they chose this facility I have worked in many places that were great too but I truly believe Rocky Mountain has went above and beyond for the residents and staff.

the hardest part of the job is the loss of a resident but also the most rewarding part as well you get close with these residents and family and that is worth more than any pay check in my mind the benefits and pay is ok but in this line of work it is much more than that this company helps staff and family through the hardest of times and we get through it together and take great pride in our work.

The homes in general absolutely beautiful and I always have the supplies I need for meals or anything else if not there is always an alternative or they get me what’s needed usually never a big deal.
(To switch out green beans for corn) good communication is the key to working here if you got that you’re good to go :)

Hours this company is very compassionate if you need hours they have them but won’t over work you. usually says no in too much over time but sometimes it may be available as for any job you can pick up shifts if you like but not required and there is plenty of staff to say no I personally appreciate when I’m asked to pick up shifts I love what I do and don’t mind the hours or what the job entitles.
.

the staff is great to work with we all have something we are good at either its cooking cleaning medication activity’s and we work together to make a happy home we all get along and are really there for the residents and to make sure that their individual needs are met at the end of each the day.

I worked here for about 7 months and at first it appears to be a wonderful place to work....at first...
About 10% of the employees there are actually good people who are qualified for their job, the other 90% including the management are unqualified, rude, gossipy, lazy people who should never be trusted to care for people. I was on the management team and I got minimal training to begin with, my first day i was called to work in a house ive never been in by myself with no knowledge of residents or the routine, by myself. The employees are not held responsible and often would just not come to work leaving most places understaffed and the good employees severely overworked. Ive witnessed the managment team sit around and talk smack about the employees and gossip about things they had heard about the staff members, ive seen them fire employees for no real reason at all except the employee had questioned things going on. Basically if they don't like you they will find a way to fire you. The managment team walks around like they are better than everyone and ive heard a number of them admit that when they have to work shifts they are sleeping, skipping things, not following state regulations and just doing bare minimum since as they say they shouldn't have to be there anyways. Its seriously the most unorganized, chaotic place ive ever worked. After the first 3 months I completely hated my job and would spend most of my nights so upset my husband would continue to tell me I needed to quit because what they were doing was wrong. My final days with this company were lousy to say the least. I had followed procedure and properly put in my notice as I was moving and would not be able to work there anymore. About 2 weeks until my last day my boss texts me and asks if I will cover the next 2 weekends of being on call since I was quitting anyways(meaning I would be working non stop for 14 days), when I told her I would be happy to do one but not the other because I was in the middle of packing i didn't hear back from her. About 30 mins later my coworker shows up at the house im working (keep in mind she was not my boss she had the same job as me) to tell me that the company had decided to accept my resignation early and I should leave....all because my boss was supposed to be on call that weekend and I wouldn't do it for her....she would be happy to keep me if I was going to do her work but if not I could leave. This place is a nightmare. DO NOT APPLY!!

I will give Rocky Mountain the credit of having beautiful homes and great residents. That's about all that is good about this company though. 

Pay is usually between $11-$15 an hour. Benefits include medical, dental and vision. There is also some PTO. No 401k. 

A day shift consists of preparing and serving breakfast, getting residents up and dressed, passing out medications (if QMAP), doing dishes, making beds, giving showers, preparing and serving lunch and cleaning up from lunch.
An evening shift consists of cleaning resident's rooms, passing out meds, preparing and serving dinner and helping residents get ready for bed.
The night shift mostly consists of passing out meds, deep cleaning the house and doing laundry.

Much of the staff has no idea how to properly care for the elderly nor do they really care about their job. You can come work as a caregiver with little experience and they do NOT require people to have their CNA license. Some of the QMAPs are very questionable if they are even capable of giving residents the correct medications. I have dealt with so many lazy co-workers that are on their phone half their shift. When you talk to management about it, nothing changes. Most staff does not know that they have to cook and clean. Lots of staff members have no idea how to even make scrambled eggs for the residents. So the residents really get some interesting meals, especially dinners when it actually takes some knowledge of how to cook. Prepare for your reliefs to come in late on a day to day basis too. It is rare to leave your shift on time. Also the company is really understaffed so you are constantly getting asked to work doubles. 
The residents are also supposed to do 3 activities a day....That does not happen unless your house has an activity coordinator. Partially because most of the residents just want to rest, but it also goes back to lazy co-workers. I feel terrible that most of the residents just sit in their rooms or the common area and watch TV all day. 
Last, the management here is the WORST. They are very unprofessional and lie to their workers. Upper management is just concerned about money and really does not care about their staff of residents.

• a typical day is highly stressful w/ barely or no help from other employees or management when needed
•  understaffed due to their policy 
• learned how to always have to work under the most pressures no matter what your personal or work related matters are
• workplace culture is highly unprofessional and is fueled with having people who should be working or helping out mainly just lollygagging around while having you or someone else mainly taking on the many stresses of the job
• the hardest part is knowing that you have several residents that are beyond your care and having to give your best efforts while trying to do day in and day out without proper PPE equipment or supplies to help make sure you’re not taking on the brunt end of the already overly demanding shift they require you to perform and especially on the night shift because at some houses you’ll be the only person working having to care for over 16 residents dependent upon what house you’re working including toileting, hourly checks, cleaning up the whole entire building that was left uncleaned by day shift, doing loads of laundry having to cook, bake, prep the entire meals for the upcoming day only except for the main course, pass out all meds at a timely manner as according to the eMar for more than your scheduled 12 hour shifts because management did not make sure there was coverage or would even like to cover down until they found it so you’re left stuck pulling extra OT hours all while having your prior obligations (parental duties or other personal duties) having to be put on hold because no one wants to be a team player and help out and they pressure you and will try to make you feel bad about not being able to pick up on your off day to cover down a shift or if you try to call out on your scheduled shift even if you follow their standard policy call out procedures 
• the most enjoyable part about this job is that you get to go home tired and contemplating about going into another stressful night until you just end up quitting all together 

I worked at this facility for a little over a year. During that time, there was significant turnover in both management and caregiving staff. The environment was marked by instability and inconsistent leadership.

The facility frequently operated with staffing levels too low to meet residents’ needs. As an overnight QMAP, I was at times solely responsible for up to twelve residents with high care requirements. Despite raising repeated concerns about staffing and safety, meaningful changes were not implemented.

I also observed instances of unprofessional conduct among staff and management, and situations that raised serious concerns about resident care quality. While some issues were reported, management’s responses were inconsistent and often inadequate. Several families eventually chose to relocate their relatives after expressing dissatisfaction with care.

Management culture discouraged open communication; raising legitimate concerns was sometimes labeled as “disrespectful” or “unprofessional.” There was frequent gossip and defensiveness, which created a toxic atmosphere. In my experience, feedback was not handled constructively.

Ultimately, the working conditions contributed to high stress and burnout, and my unemployment claim was approved on the basis of unsatisfactory working conditions. I would not recommend this workplace to those seeking a supportive or ethically managed care environment.

The cons of working for Rocky Mountain Assisted Living greatly outweigh the pros. Management leadership skills are weak and often times people are not properly trained nor do they enter with the proper knowledge needed to work with the geriatric population. Unrealistic expectations are placed on house managers which sets them up for failure. Upper management has no follow through on disciplining unacceptable workplace behaviors; RMAL is desperate and will take anyone. Locations are chronically understaffed and residents do not receive adequate care. Many family members have recognized this. The homes run out of necessary supplies including groceries believed to be due to inadequate funding and/or lack of organization. Office and management staff are unprofessional and rude to employees, family members, and residents. Communication skills are not great. If you are passionate about the population you choose to work with stay far away from this company. If you are a family member trying to select an assisted living facility steer clear of Rocky Mountain Assisted Living and opt for a place that has an acceptable caregiver to resident ratio and is infused with leadership persons who are kind and genuinely care.

Love for the residents is the what makes a job like this worthwhile. A typical day at work was pretty nonstop. There was not a sense of camaraderie among people working at our particular residence, though the management who dropped in seemed to have good ties with one another. It felt like management and the other staff were enemies. Management communicated goals and instructions but not support or collaborative problem-solving. And honestly, some of the instructions made clear that appearances were a priority. Colleagues were a mix. Some cared a lot about helping people and worked hard at the job despite little support and sometimes laughable budgets, while others were impatient with residents or hiding in a corner on their phones just out of view of the security cameras. Communication was rather poor about important matters, such as when a manager was on vacation. The HR staff were pleasant to work with, though. But the residents--when you had the chance to make life better for them, they tended to be so thankful and kind. Families as well would express gratitude to the staff. Relating with those folks was the best part of the job.

The hardest part of this job was that I took on the night shift for 5 days,  so I could study whilst staying awake, being a daytime student during the down times of the night. This I though should enable me watch and listen  appropriately for resident's calls. At first this was a perfect job as I was motivated to speed up working and be done with most routines of the shift by 2am and could then study whilst waiting on the fairly independent residents ' calls for help. But then, as soon as other colleagues saw that I studied in my downtime, they decided to start pilling most of the responsibilities that were successfully done and completed by 2 people in the day shifts over to the single night staff, person to complete, whilst they stared to loaf around, but did not want to work nights !! I was discouraged and drastically reduced my hours. I then decided to start my search in other areas of my qualifications that pay a lot more, as I thought, well- if anyone is going to believe it is offensive to have any down time on a night shift, then I will rather be working  on other jobs that already pay more as I could then work reduced hours for the same pay and thus face my other daily activities better.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Shift leader 84 salaries reported	$20.68 per hour
Qualified medication aide 28 salaries reported	$20.43 per hour
Activities director 11 salaries reported	$21.14 per hour
Caregiver 8 salaries reported	$19.63 per hour
Care coordinator 6 salaries reported	$60,000 per year

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