What is a Nursing Home Administrator?

Nursing home administrators are experienced managers who are responsible for overseeing the operations of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. This usually entails structuring the general operation of the facility, interacting with the owners or governing board, and overseeing the nursing home staff on a day-to-day basis. An individual who is certified as a nursing home administrator can also perform the same duties in assisted living facilities.

The nursing home administrator is responsible for all aspects of the geriatric care facility. In addition to managing the staff, an administrator is responsible for the home’s financial stability and ensuring that the staff has access to high-quality equipment and supplies. Administrators also make certain that the residents of the facility have a pleasant environment that is responsive to their needs. To handle such a wide range of responsibilities, the typical administrator will collaborate closely with various members of the staff who are assigned to different aspects of the operation and report directly to the nursing home administrator.

A nursing home administrator can work for corporations that operate multiple nursing homes in different areas in addition to working in nursing homes. The administrator may act as a corporate liaison between the administrators at each home in this capacity. In this role, the administrator is usually in charge of enforcing corporate policies in all of the company’s facilities. The nursing home administrator will also be involved in personnel training and research into new equipment, methods of operation, and other factors that could increase the corporation’s profitability while still allowing each of the company’s nursing homes to provide core services to residents.

While the exact requirements for working as a nursing home administrator vary jurisdiction, it is common for nursing homes to require at least some formal education as well as completion of a certification and licensing process. In most cases, national or federal regulations will apply; however, local governments may require certification or compliance in some cases.

Most jurisdictions in the United States require a nursing home administrator to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing home administration from an accredited college or university. Proof of successful participation and completion of an internship is not uncommon in state regulations and requirements. Before a nursing home administrator can be certified, many jurisdictions require them to pass an exam created the jurisdiction.

The demand for good administrators is continuing to rise. Nursing home administrator is one of the more stable health-care careers available today. Even people who do not want to work in a single nursing home may find this career path appealing because it allows them to secure a variety of positions with formal training as a nursing home administrator.