Nursing Home Administrator
Field of Study — Health Administration, Information & Communications
Nursing home administrators plan, organize and direct the operations of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.
Nursing home administrators:
- direct medical, nursing and technical personnel and fiscal management activities.
- maintain and develop standards, policies, programs and operating procedures.
- direct fiscal operations, such as budgeting and accounting, and establish rates for services.
- direct employee hiring and training.
- compile, analyze and prepare reports.
- speak at community gatherings and conduct public relations and marketing activities.
- meet with families of individuals seeking admittance to a nursing home.
Most nursing home administrators work in a nursing home; others may work in the business offices of a large nursing home corporation that manages several facilities. They are accountable to a proprietor or governing board. Some administrators also may be involved in teaching, research or other professional activities.
Educational Requirements
Students intending to pursue a career as a nursing home administrator should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, business and English.
In Virginia, licensed nursing home administrators must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing home administration or in a health administration field. They also must have completed a 400-hour program in nursing home administration and a twopart exam. Some nursing home administrators also are trained as physicians, registered or licensed practical nurses or allied health professionals.
Nursing home administrators also can qualify by successfully completing an Administrator-in-Training (AlT) program as specified by the certifying board. The 2,000-hour program must be completed in 24 months and a two-part examination must be completed successfully.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Old Dominion University College of Health Sciences
Professional Associations
- Virginia Association of Nonprofit Homes for the Aging
4201 Dominion Blvd.
Suite 100
Glen Allen, VA 23060
(804) 965-5500
http://www.vanha.org - Virginia Health Care Association
2112 W. Laburnum Ave.
Suite 206
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 353-9101
http://www.vhca.org