Long Term Care Administrator: Essential Info
Long term care (LTC) administrators oversee healthcare facilities such as nursing care facilities and assisted living facilities. Nursing care facilities, including nursing homes, provide round-the-clock skilled nursing, while assisted living facilities provide help for residents with the basic activities of daily life. Certification is voluntary for long term care administrators, but state licensure is required for administrators of nursing care facilities.
The job of long term care administrator can include a wide variety of responsibilities, such as:
- overseeing patient care,
- hiring and training staff,
- handling public relations,
- monitoring financial operations,
- addressing federal and state regulations,
- responding to the needs and grievances of families and employees, and
- working with disease control/prevention.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree; pre-licensure or administrator-in-training courses offered by community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities |
| Exam Requirements | Pass tests administered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards |
| Licensure & Certification | License required in all states; 20 to 50 credits of continuing education required annually; optional certification for licensed Nursing Home Administrators |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 32% for all medical and health services managers* |
| Median Salary (2019) | $100,980 for all medical and health services managers* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Careers in Long Term Care Administration
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the field of health service management is growing at a rate of 32%, which is far above the national average for industry growth. This statistic suggests a likelihood of job stability; add in a health median salary and the job is certainly attractive. Additional benefits to a career in long term care administration include the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of clients, families, and professionals; the option to specialize in targeted areas of care; and the ability to make a positive impact on clients at a vulnerable stage of life. Challenges in an LTC administration position include long hours, high stress, paperwork, and the need to consistently monitor industry regulations and standards.
LTC Administrator License: Requirements
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) administrators at long term care facilities that provide nursing care, including nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, are required by all 50 states to earn a bachelor's degree and pass a state licensure exam (www.bls.gov). A few states also require licensure for administrators of non-nursing care facilities, such as assisted living and residential care.
The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) sets the standards to which states test potential long term care administrators, residential care administrators and assisted living administrators (www.nabweb.org). Once licensed, most care administrators must earn 20-50 continuing education credits annually to maintain their license. Healthcare administration license requirements vary by state, so it is important to check with the local licensing board to determine state-specific requirements.
To prepare for licensing, aspiring long term care administrators may choose to enroll in a pre-licensure or administrator-in-training course offered by community colleges, 4-year colleges and universities. These programs may result in a certificate. A few colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in long term care administration that are designed to meet varying state licensing requirements. Candidates might also look for test preparation materials, such as a nursing home administrator license practice test or practice questions, before taking the licensure exam.
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Education for LTC Administrators
While some LTC employers will hire candidates with a bachelor's degree, many will prefer that you hold a master's degree. If you're looking for a long term care administration degree, you can choose from a few different options.
Master of Health Administration
A Master of Health Administration covers a broad range of healthcare industry needs and can lead to many different careers, including long term care administration. Some common course topics that prepare candidates to meet healthcare administration certification requirements include:
- Finances in health care
- Organization in health care
- Leadership in health care
- Ethics
- Health law
- Health marketing and economics
Master of Long Term Care Administration
A Master of Long Term Care Administration program covers similar topics to a Master of Health Administration, with an added focus on the effects of aging on long-term care needs.
Long Term Care Administration Certificate: Online Graduate Program
Some schools offer online graduate programs in long-term care administration. These programs include courses in health services for long-term care and in long-term care administration and lead to a graduate certificate in long term care administration. Other online graduate programs may lead to a master's degree in long term care administration.
LTC Certification: Options for Administrators
Certification for long-term care administrators is voluntary. The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) offers certification for nursing home administrators and for assisted living administrators (www.achca.org).
Certification for Nursing Home Administrators
Nursing home administrators applying for ACHCA's Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA) credential must have a bachelor's degree and a current state Nursing Home Administrator license. Applicants must have two years of experience as a nursing home administrator (excluding time as an administrator-in-training), and must have completed 40 hours of relevant continuing education in the two years prior to applying. CNHA certification is valid for five years. To maintain certification, administrators must complete 150 continuing education units every five years.
Certified Assisted Living Administrator
Assisted living administrators are eligible to take the Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA) credential exam once they have completed ACHCA's experience and education requirements. Administrators who have passed the NAB's residential care and assisted living exam only need two years of experience and 40 hours of continuing education credits to be eligible to take the CALA exam.
Nursing home administrators need to pass a state exam for licensure in order to work in the United States. Some states require that administrators of assisted living facilities be licensed as well. Certification is voluntary, and for both nursing home administrators and certified living administrators requires 2 years of experience and 40 hours of relevant continued education.
