Ecumen

What We Do

Ecumen operates a variety of senior housing options and services, including cooperative senior housing, independent living, assisted living, long-term care, short-term rehabilitation care, home care and hospice. In addition to our consumer services, we provide senior housing development, clinical consulting and senior housing management services for organizations outside of Ecumen.

Our Vision for “Changing Aging”

We envision a world without Ageism. 

Ecumen is a values-based organization. Our mission, vision and values are how we go about our work each day. And we’re committed to our brand promise of “innovate, empower, honor and serve.” There’s no other way to change how our society views aging.

Our Values

1. Serve: We put people at the heart of what we do.
2. Innovate: We find new ways to exceed people's expectations.
3. Empower: We encourage people to dream and take action.
4. Honor: We treat people with dignity and respect.

Ecumen looks for employees that fit our style and standards – what we call “The Ecumen Way.” Throughout the application, interview and orientation process you’ll learn more about The Ecumen Way and how we fit as a team.

Ecumen offers employees--from direct care professionals through senior leaders---ongoing Learning & Development opportunities. Some of the courses and programs include the following:

Onboarding Training

New employees complete onboarding training throughout their entire first year. Specialized training is provided for each position and includes both skill and career development. Employees learn the company's mission, vision, and values via training and networking.

Leadership Training

All employees are offered opportunities to advance their career and personal growth throughout mentorship and leadership skill training.

Career Development

Our team strives to develop skilled employees who seek advancement in the healthcare setting. We have programs to offer additional training, scholarships, continuing education and more.

Eligibility: Employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month following 30 days of employment.  Employees have up to 30 days from their hire date to make benefit elections.  Ecumen offers benefit options for employees, their legal spouse, and their children.

The benefits outlined below apply to Ecumen-owned housing and services employees only. Our managed communities, which are owned by other entities, offer benefits that may differ from those listed below.

1. Medical Insurance: Ecumen offers a choice of two medical plans administred by Medica for employees regularly scheduled to work at least 60 hours per pay period. The High Deductible Plan is offered in conjunction with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All preventative services are covered in full. Team Members pay for the cost of non-preventative services until they satisfy their annual deductible. The Co-Pay Plan features a co-payment for office visits, Urgent Care, and prescriptions. All preventative services are covered in full. Other services are subject to paying an annual deductible and a percentage of the cost of services (generally 20%) up to the annual out-of-pocket maximum. 

2. Dental Insurance: Dental insurance is available for employees working at least 40 hours per pay period and is administered by Delta Dental.  Preventive exams, cleanings and x-rays are covered at 100%.  All other services are subject to a $50 deductible and co-insurance.

3. Vision Insurance: Vision insurance is available for employees working at least 40 hours per pay period and is administered by VSP.  It helps pay for the cost of frames, lenses, and contacts.  The vision insurance will supplement vision benefits included in the Ecumen medical plan.

4. Health Savings Account: A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows employees enrolled in Ecumen’s medical insurance to make pre-tax contributions and request reimbursement for approved medical expenses.  Ecumen will also provide quarterly contributions to the employees’ HSA.

5. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Employees working at least 40 hours per pay period are eligible to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account. 

The Health Care FSA allows employees to make pre-tax contributions for reimbursement of approved medical expenses. 

The Dependent Care FSA allows employees to make pre-tax contributions for reimbursement of approved dependent care expenses. 

6. Life Insurance/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Employees working at least 60 hours per pay period receive 1.5 times their annual salary to a maximum of $500,000 in personal life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at no cost.  Additional coverage may be purchased for employees, spouse, and children.

7. Retirement Plan: All regularly scheduled employees are eligible to contribute to Ecumen's 401(k) plan and receive an employer match. The first 6% of employee contribution will be matched at 100%. Employees are immediately 100% vested in both their contributions and the employer contributions. 

8. Paid Holidays: Ecumen observes the following holidays. Employees working 80 hours per pay period are eligible to receive Holiday Pay. 

- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Good Friday/Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Floating Holiday

9. Personal Paid Leave (PPL): Eligible employees working at least 40 hours per pay period are eligible to accrue personal paid leave (prorated based on hours worked). PPL is paid time off that may be used for a variety of reasons including vacations, illness, and personal time. 

10. Caregiver & Crisis Leave: Eligible employees working at least 40 hours per pay period are eligible to accrue Caregiver & Crisis Leave, which provides employees with paid leave in order to care for a family member with a serious medical condition, to care for his/her newborn, foster or adopted child, or to have time away from work to take care of personal matters as a result of a crisis. 

11. Family Helping Family: Ecumen’s Family Helping Family program provides education grants and emergency grants to eligible employees. Funds for this program are donated annually by Ecumen employees committed to helping colleagues in need.

12. Wellness: Ecumen offers free health screenings for eligible employees on an annual basis prior to Open Enrollment. Medical insurance premiums may be reduced in the following year for each specific health screening goal that is met. 

Ecumen’s roots extend to 1862 when the Lutheran Church began providing foster care in Minnesota. At the beginning of the 20th Century, we began serving seniors.

Several of our communities began in the early 20th Century, including Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, Minn., Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minn., Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., Ecumen Parmly LifePointes in Chisago City, Minn. and Ecumen Detroit Lakes in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

In 1923, this growing organization incorporated under the name The Board of Christian Service. In the early 1960s we became the Board of Social Ministry.

In 2004, we changed our name to Ecumen. The Ecumen name comes from the Greek word for “home” and underscores our mission to create home for older adults wherever they choose to live.

In our 150 year history, Ecumen has grown to be the most innovative leader in senior housing and services, empowering individuals to live richer and fuller lives.

As a nurse, you’ll be present in people’s lives at their highest and lowest points – births, deaths and everything in between. You’ve made a wise career choice. While your peers have anxiety about finding a job, nurses are reaching retirement age at a pace never seen before and there are abundant opportunities to find your place in the field of healthcare.

If you’ve helped care for an aging parent or grandparent, or watched a family friend struggle to maintain their quality of life while aging at home alone, you understand the need for well-educated, compassionate nurses in the field of senior care. It’s critical – especially in rural Minnesota.

Overview: The Ecumen Scholars Program strengthens the capacity of student nurses in rural Minnesota and builds the future leadership of senior care. Through the Ecumen Scholars Program, students work with older adults at a variety of care levels including transitional care or rehabilitation, assisted living, dementia care and home care.

Internship Program

Under the direction of an RN preceptor, nursing student interns further their understanding of professional nursing, gaining experience and confidence working with older adults, while developing their clinical skills. Interns have the opportunity to job shadow an experienced nursing professional, who provides the support and guidance needed to grow professionally. This is an 80 hour 1:1 opportunity that offers a $1500 stipend on successful completion. Internships are provided at locations around the State of Minnesota.

Home Care Externship Program

This program offers a unique learning experience for student nurses that will develop knowledge and practice in community-based care that promotes an exceptional patient experience. Under the direction of an RN preceptor, externs will further their understanding of professional nursing, gaining experience and confidence working with older adults, while developing their clinical skills. This is a 40 hour 1:1 opportunity that offers a $1000 stipend on successful completion. Home Care externships are offered in three locations: Duluth, MN; Litchfield, MN; & Mankato, MN.

Gerontological Clinical Rotations

Nursing students participate in a gerontological nursing clinical rotation at Ecumen communities near their campuses. Students have an opportunity to work with their faculty while engaging with nurses who have chosen careers in non-acute senior care. Check with your school to find out if an Ecumen community is on your rotation schedule.