Era Living Executive Directors Among First in Nation to Earn Prestigious Assisted Living Certification

The Senior Living Certification Commission recently recognized Aljoya Mercer Island Executive Director, Marla Becker and Aljoya Thornton Place Executive Director, Karen Nordby as Certified Directors in Assisted Living (CDAL). The CDAL, a new certification, is awarded to leaders who operate at the highest level of professional competency, and pass an exam that proves their abilities. This includes measurement of judgment, application of knowledge, and problem-solving skills.

“The CDAL process provided me with new context about the way operate in assisted living,” said Nordby. “I gained insight and perspective; I am more confident than ever that we are providing the highest standard of care to our residents.”

The CDAL was developed by senior living industry experts from across the nation who built consensus and curriculum based on the unique knowledge and skills of top preforming assisted living community executive directors.

“Aljoya Mercer Island is a place where we pride ourselves in being first in class in all that we do,” said Becker. “I became interested in earning the CDAL because it is formal recognition of excellence in assisted living oversight. I also wanted our younger staff members to see the clear path that ties continuing education to career success.”

The CDAL exam is comprised of questions in the following knowledge domains: Principles and Philosophy of Assisted Living; Resident Care and Services; Customer Experience; Leadership; Operations Management; Regulatory Compliance; Sales and Marketing; and Financial Management. Certification demonstrates attainment of consistent, relevant, measurable and industry-recognized best standards of practice in the assisted living executive director role.