The Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA) in a skilled nursing center or the Assisted Living Facility Administrator (ALFA) in an assisted living community is responsible for overseeing daily operations and management of the entire facility to ensure it is in compliance with all state and federal surveys requirements. LNHA/ALFAs are also responsible for census development, resident/patient care, positive employee relations, and implementing facility programs.

Education & Experience
LNHA: One of the following sets of qualifications is required for licensure as a nursing home administrator:

1. Degree and practical experience. The applicant shall (i) hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in a health care -related field that meets the requirements from an accredited institution; (ii) have completed not less than a 320-hour internship; and (iii) have received a passing grade on the national examination;

2. Certificate program. The applicant shall (i) hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution; (ii) successfully complete a program with a minimum of 21 semester hours study in a health care-related field that meets the requirements from an accredited college or university; (iii) successfully complete not less than a 400-hour internship; and (iv) have received a passing grade on the national examination;

3. Administrator-in-training program. The applicant shall have (i) successfully completed an AIT program that meets the requirements and (ii) received a passing grade on the national examination, and (iii) completed the Domains of Practice form required by the board; or

4. Health Services Executive (HSE) credential. The applicant shall provide evidence that he has met the minimum education, experience, and examination standards established by NAB for qualification as a Health Services Executive. 

ALFA: A. To be qualified for initial licensure as an assisted living facility administrator, an applicant shall hold a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) and hold one of the following qualifications:

1. Administrator-in-training program.

a. Complete at least 30 semester hours in an accredited college or university in any subject and 640 hours in an ALF AIT program as specified.

b. Complete an educational program as a licensed practical nurse and hold a current, unrestricted license or multistate licensure privilege and 640 hours in an ALF AIT;

c. Complete an educational program as a registered nurse and hold a current, unrestricted license or multistate licensure privilege and 480 hours in an ALF AIT program;

d. Complete at least 30 semester hours in an accredited college or university with courses in the content areas of (i) client/resident care, (ii) human resources management, (iii) financial management, (iv) physical environment, and (v) leadership and governance, and 480 hours in an ALF AIT program;

e. Hold a master’s or a baccalaureate degree in health care related field or a comparable field that meets the requirements with no internship or practicum and 320 hours in an ALF AIT program; or

f. Hold a master’s or baccalaureate degree in an unrelated field and 480 hours in an ALF AIT program;

2. Certificate program.

Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in a field unrelated to health care from an accredited college or university and successfully complete a certificate program with a minimum of 21 semester hours study in a health care related field that meets course content requirements of subsection B of this section from an accredited college or university and successfully complete not less than a 320-hour internship in a licensed assisted living facility as part of the certificate program under the supervision of a preceptor; or

3. Degree and practical experience.

Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in a health care related field that meets the course content requirements of subsection B of this section from an accredited college or university and have completed not less than a 320-hour internship or practicum in a licensed assisted living facility as part of the degree program under the supervision of a preceptor.

Salary Average
$99,000

Certifications
Licensed LNHAs and ALFAs must obtain at least 20 hours of continuing education during each year.

Next Steps
Operations Management