NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR


Nursing home administrators plan, organize, direct and control the operation of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities. They direct medical, nursing and technical personnel and fiscal management activities. They are also responsible for maintaining and developing standards, policies, programs and operating procedures.

Education

Nursing home administrators should have a baccalaureate degree or higher in health care administration from an accredited college or university.

Registration/Certification/Licensure

Nursing home administrators are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators upon successful completion of a written exam. To take the exam, one must satisfactorily complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and have six months of continuous management experience in a long term care facility within three years from the date of application. Topics such as budgeting, Medicare guidelines, reimbursement, human resources, etc. must be addressed. Voluntary certification is available through the American College of Health Care Administrators upon successful completion of a written examination.

Salary

$40,000 - 60,000

Employment Opportunities

Most nursing home administrators work in nursing homes. Others may work in the business offices of a large nursing home corporation that manages several facilities or assisted living facilities. They may also be involved in teaching, research or other professional activities. Specific corporations may offer a one or two year employment program, called an administrator-in-training or AIT, to train a person to take over as the administrator of a facility.

Programs

See Health Care Administrator

Professional Associations

American Health Care Association (Nursing Homes)
1201 L Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 842-4444		 American College of Health Care Administrators
1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 355
Alexandria, VA 22314
(888) 882-2422		 National Association of Boards of Examiners
of Long Term Care Administrators
1444 1 Street, NW, #700
Washington, DC 20005-2210

Last updated:  May 30, 2001