Gerontologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a Gerontologist. Feel free to use our Gerontologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a Gerontologist.
Who is a Gerontologist?
Gerontology studies the changes in a person’s physical, mental, and social lives as they age. They are sometimes confused, but they are not the same thing as geriatrics. Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that studies older people’s diseases and other health issues. Gerontology includes many important aspects that study aging and the aging process.
Gerontologists are medical professionals who study and treat conditions that relate to aging. To understand the biological aspects and other social and medical issues that older people face, a gerontologist typically works with elderly patients. While some professionals do extensive laboratory research on diseases and aging, others work in hospitals or nursing homes to provide care for patients. Gerontologists may also be involved in advocacy and public policy work to improve the health care services for the elderly.
To better understand the biological processes involved in aging, they conduct longitudinal studies and perform laboratory experiments. Research gerontologists might study living tissue to understand cellular development and aging and to determine ways to slow down the decline of mental and physical health. To determine the safety and efficacy of new medications, scientists also test them on lab animals and participants in clinical trials. Research is crucial in developing new, better treatments for seniors.
A licensed physician may become a gerontologist specializing only in geriatric medicine. Common conditions that affect elderly patients include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and osteoporosis. They can prescribe medication and help patients to cope with aging issues. Gerontologists might schedule regular checkups or arrange physical therapy sessions for patients. A doctor can also offer advice to family members and friends of a patient and tell them how they can assist their elderly loved ones.
Experienced gerontologists are involved in education and awareness. Sociology, psychology, medicine, and other experts can identify common issues faced by seniors. Gerontologists create informational pamphlets and books, hold clinics for doctors and talk to the public about these issues. Many gerontologists actively participate in fundraising for gerontological research related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Gerontologists are interested in studying the physical effects of aging, such as wrinkles, hair loss, muscle and bone loss, as well mental changes like memory loss and slower reaction times.
Gerontologists may choose to focus on a particular field of gerontology, such as mental aging or physical aging. Or they might choose to work with a specific age group.
These professionals are experts in psychology, sociology, and public health research to better understand the effects of aging on individuals.
Gerontologists are researchers and practitioners from the following fields: biology, medicine, criminology and dentistry, physical and occupational therapy, and psychology. Gerontology is multidisciplinary. There are many subfields and associated fields like psychology and sociology. They offer their services in hospitals, nursing homes, and senior citizen centers as well as in the community.
Gerontologists educate other healthcare professionals and community practitioners as well as the general public about the process and benefits of aging. They also publish books and articles on aging and health and produce relevant films and television programs.
They also have a common responsibility for advocacy, which is social gerontologists. Senior advocates can act as a link between older adults with the rest of society. They can assist with complicated paperwork such as insurance and health care. Social gerontologists are also trained to dispel myths about old age. They help older people find employment, education, volunteering opportunities, and social activities.
The gerontology industry is focused on maintaining a high standard of living for the elderly population. Each year, millions of seniors’ lives are transformed by research, advocacy, and direct interaction with senior citizens.
There are different fields in gerontology.
Biogerontology studies how an individual’s physical and mental health changes as they age. Studies have shown that aging occurs naturally as the body breaks down. This means that many health problems can be caused by aging. Biomedical gerontology is a branch of biogerontology that studies ways to slow down aging and extend life spans.
Biogerontologists study how the body ages. Scientists are still unsure why and how cellular changes cause transformation in the body and mind as people age. This could lead to dementia, osteoporosis, and organ failure. This research could lead to new treatments or preventive measures for age-related issues.
Social gerontology is another field of gerontology. This study focuses on the daily lives of seniors. This field is responsible to address the needs of seniors through education and research. Social gerontologists include social workers, psychologists, nurses, and social scientists who work to advance the causes of gerontology.
Social gerontology has made significant strides in improving the quality of life for seniors. Many communities have senior citizen protection groups. These groups assist senior citizens with their legal rights, housing, and financial issues, as well as providing meals and other recreational activities. These organizations may help seniors match with volunteers to assist with daily tasks such as shopping, home repairs, and lawn care.
Gerontologist Job Description
Below are the Gerontologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a Gerontologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a Gerontologist include the following:
- Supervising the personal hygiene of senior citizens at the facility and reporting any changes to the family or to the physician.
- Examining weekly reports submitted by other staff, such as service coordinators. Follow up when necessary to ensure accuracy and consistency in documentation.
- Assuring the smooth operation of the facility concerning patient welfare, socialization, and health according to state and health department regulations.
- Keeping up-to-date with developments in your chosen subspecialty.
- Writing and researching aging in different contexts.
- Collaborating with healthcare professionals and other researchers to better understand aging-related pathways.
- Developing evidence-based methods that can be used both by practitioners and theorists.
- Providing consultation on the psychosocial, housing, and accessibility needs of the elderly.
- Promoting collaboration and combating stigma to improve the well-being of seniors.
The following are other important tasks:
- Researching gerontology
Gerontologists research to understand how factors affect aging in different stages of a person’s life.
- Working with older adults
Gerontologists may work with older people to assess their aging and their behavior. To assess an older person’s health, they may conduct diagnostic tests such as mental and physical exams.
- Providing care for the elderly
A gerontologist may be employed in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice to provide care and support for patients over 65 years old.
- Collaboration with healthcare professionals
With their vast knowledge about aging, gerontologists work with healthcare professionals to diagnose and plan treatment.
- Meet caregivers
To offer care and treatment recommendations, gerontologists meet caregivers.
- Enhance social policy
Gerontologists strive to improve social policies to ensure that older people have access to proper healthcare and insurance benefits.
- Keep up-to-date on Gerontology Advancements
Gerontologists keep abreast of the most recent developments in gerontology. This includes new diagnostics and medical equipment.
- Understanding legal resources for older persons
Gerontologists are familiar with the legal resources available to older adults from the federal, state, and local governments to help them care for their loved ones.
Qualifications
These are the requirements to be a gerontologist.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is required to become a gerontologist. A few colleges offer a bachelor’s degree in gerontology. However, gerontologists can also obtain a bachelor’s in nursing, physiology, or psychology. You can complete coursework in your undergraduate degree related to gerontology such as the study of adult development, mental health, and physical health.
Masters degree
Although you don’t necessarily need a master’s or doctorate to be a gerontologist you can improve your skills and gain more experience with older people. A master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, policy, or health administration may be awarded a specialization in gerontology.
Research
Gerontologists often publish research about their gerontology findings. You may choose to focus your research on a particular area of gerontology, or you may conduct research that spans several areas of gerontology. Employers will be able to see the details of your research in your resume.
Certification
Employers may require gerontologists with certification. This can give you greater knowledge and skills in the field of gerontology. To receive a gerontology certificate, you can attend any gerontology course that is accredited by the Gerontology Education Council. The American Nurses Credential Center Nursing Board also offers the opportunity to become a Board Certified gerontological nurse. This prepares you for work as a nursing assistant for older people and provides background knowledge about human aging.
Essential Skills
- Patience
All people require patience from their physicians. Gerontologists’ patients are more difficult because they can become easily irritated. Gerontologists should be able to listen carefully to those who speak slowly and have high levels of confusion. Family members may need patience to deal with loved ones who are struggling with the idea that their loved one will require full-time care.
- Show compassion
Unfortunately, most gerontologist patients will need nursing assistance at the end of their lives. Although they may not be yet hospice bound, medical issues can start to accumulate for patients in the final years of life. A gerontologist must be as compassionate and patient as possible. Your patients may not be able to bathe or are incontinent, but that does not mean they have lost their sense of self-worth, dignity, and ability to take care of themselves. Even if they seem a bit hostile towards you, a compassionate approach can help.
- Creativity
Although dementia can make life difficult for some, it also gives doctors the chance to be creative. Because of the numerous variables involved in gerontologists’ patients’ treatment plans, it is important to use your creativity. Some dementia patients can respond well to art therapy. You might even be able to paint or color with them. A good gerontologist must be able to think creatively about each patient’s needs and create a treatment plan that works.
How to Become a Gerontologist
A professional degree in Gerontology is required to become a gerontologist. This minimum requirement should be at the Master’s level.
Many community colleges offer associate’s degrees in gerontology that can lead to entry-level positions in this field. Four-year colleges offer the option to earn a bachelor’s degree in gerontology or prepare you for a career as a nurse, social worker, or doctor. For those who want to work in medicine, pharmacy, research, or teach at the university, a master’s, professional, or doctorate is necessary.
For more information about degrees and certificates in gerontology, you can visit The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. There are approximately 500 universities offering degrees and certificates in gerontology. The majority of these universities are located in the United States.
A gerontology degree can help you find employment in any field that deals with aging people. Retirement communities, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes are the most obvious areas of employment. Government agencies are another option. You could work in government agencies, as well as being a social worker, nurse aid, or social scientist. There are many positions you can get with a degree only in gerontology. However, you could also take a gerontology degree to another degree to improve your abilities in dealing with the aging population. This degree could be useful for occupational therapists and nurses, as well.
Graduates and professionals with certificates or degrees in gerontology combine their education and experience to develop programs, direct care, and product development. They also use it for advocacy. For those who are passionate about serving the elderly, there are many jobs. These range from counseling to product development. There is a high demand for professionals with specialized knowledge, education background, and passion for the elderly in many industries. This is expected to increase in many fields.
Where to Work as a Gerontologist
Gerontologists typically work in facilities that provide care for seniors, such as nursing homes or private clinics. Gerontologists work to provide high-quality care and understanding for older patients. They can also work weekends or weekdays depending on their patients’ needs. Gerontologists are often called upon to handle emergencies that could affect the patient’s health and wellbeing. This can mean they may need to work overtime. They may have to deal with bodily fluids and hazardous materials while on the job or may be required to communicate with older people.
Gerontologist Salary Scale
The average national salary for a Gerontologist in the United States is $52,522.
