How To Become a Nursing Home Administrator in California
You will need both practical and academic qualifications to become a nursing home administrator in California.It is possible to substitute substantial experience as a registered nurse in lieu of some educational requirements.Before you can take the state and federal nursing home administrator exams, you have to do a lot of other things.The preparation may be worth it with salaries in the six figures.
Step 1: You can learn the role of an NHA.
Ensuring that a nursing home is in full compliance with all federal and state health and safety regulations is one of the tasks you will be charged with.The responsibilities of an NHA in California include patient admissions, personnel management, budgeting, and facilities management.If you are a registered nurse in a long term care facility with experience in managing employees, budgeting, or event planning, this could be an ideal career advancement opportunity for you.Being an NHA requires years of education and training in order to fully understand and comply with a host of federal and state healthcare regulations.You can start by interviewing an NHA in a long term care facility.Discuss the process of becoming an NHA with them.Important insight can be offered by these first hand accounts.
Step 2: Meet the basic requirements.
NHAs must be at least 18 years old.You have to show that you are a legal resident of the state of California to work there.Identifying documentation such as a driver's license, passport, birth certificate, social security card, or residency verification documents will be required to prove this.
Step 3: Do you have a good character?
An extensive background check is required for applicants to be licensed as an NHA in California.Minor traffic violations are not disqualifying factors in most cases.With proper documentation, the National Association of Long Term Care Administrators Boards and the state qualified agencies may waive other violations.Background checks are required by the state agency.All applicants for the California Department of Public Health's Nursing Home Administrator Program must submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system.If you have been assigned to make payments, serve time, complete volunteer hours, or otherwise make restitution for a criminal act, you need to provide proof that you've complied with your sentence.Paying speeding or parking tickets, being current on alimony and child support, and other court appointed items are included.
Step 4: Don'tComply with all state and federal regulations.
Personal regulations that mandate education, examination, and licensing within the state of California are included.It is important that you have complied with state and federal regulations throughout your career.This is necessary if you want to waive educational requirements based on job experience.Information about your compliance with regulations should be included in your references letters.Make a list of tasks you do frequently and include documentation that proves it.Every year, nursing homes require their employees to take exams to make sure they understand and comply with the Human Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and sensitivity training.Documentation should be included for these courses and exams.
Step 5: Get a master's degree in nursing home administration.
A bachelor's degree in nursing, nursing home administration, or other related fields is the most direct route to completion of your educational requirements.You can complete a graduate program in health care administration.You can apply for the licensing exam after you finish your graduate work.You can find lists of state and federal programs online.As the list of accredited programs grows, it will likely set the standard for NHA education.This may be a good place to start when looking for a program.Do you know the educational background of other NHAs?It is possible to hear behind the scenes stories about educational programs and find a school that works for you.
Step 6: You can take part in an internship.
480 hours of hands-on training is required for graduate studies at accredited universities in the state of California.You can find internships in your area by talking to your professors, searching California's NHAP site, or directly contacting long term care facilities.You can attend any university in the US and some international programs to get into the state and federal NHA exams, but they may have different internship requirements.An Administrator in Training program may be required in these situations.
Step 7: You can get a degree in nursing home administration.
If you have an undergraduate degree in nursing, nursing home administration, aging care, or related fields, you can combine your education with experience to get approval to take the NHA licensing exam.If you have a bachelor's degree, you will need to apply for the Administrator in Training program.Upon completion of the AIT, you will be qualified to take the federal and state licensing exams.
Step 8: If you have job experience, you should be able to qualify.
If you have worked as a nurse or supervisor within a long term care facility for at least ten years, you may be able to take the NHA licensing exams by completing the same 1000 hour AIT program that those with bachelor's degrees complete.You will need at least the last five years of your experience to be a supervisor.
Step 9: The AIT program requires you to complete the Administrator in Training program.
The first thing you need to do is find a mentor.If you qualify based on work experience, you should ask the NHA in your long term care facility to be your mentor.If you don't currently work in a long term treatment facility and have a bachelor's degree, you may need to look for a qualified preceptor.California's NHAP has a list of qualified preceptors in your area.The NHAP exam board must approve you before you start an AIT.You will get approval if you submit your qualifications, outline of the 1000 hours of training, application form, and fees.You have a year from the time your AIT is approved to complete the program.
Step 10: You should have proof that you met educational requirements.
You need to give the transcripts from your course work.You should request these from your university and send them to theNAB.Documentation of internship hours or AIT curriculum is required.Your transcript will show the internship you completed as part of your graduate education.As part of your verification documentation, your preceptor will need to complete and submit an evaluation form.
Step 11: If you want to wave educational requirements, apply.
If you are working in a long term care facility run by a religious organization that makes it difficult for you to complete traditional education, you can apply to waive your educational requirements.You will need to hold a high school or GED and complete an AIT program to graduate.To demonstrate that you can't attend traditional college or university training due to your religious beliefs, you need to provide adequate documentation.Religious texts, letters from leaders within your religious organization, and historical documentation showing that other NHAs in your facility have not completed conventional educational training can be included.You will need to prove that the nursing facility you are working for is a non-profit organization approved by the IRS.AIT should be completed in a nursing home run by your religious organization.You can only be hired to work in long term care facilities if you have an educational waiver.
Step 12: Continue education requirements.
Every two years, all NHAs in the state of California are required to complete 40 hours of advanced training.It helps to be aware of any changes in policies and criteria.You can find continuing education opportunities in your area by contacting state and national NHA organizations.Continuing education credit is earned for courses taken by quarter and semester.If you teach courses to other NHAs, you can use 16 hours of that time for your own continuing education hours.20 hours of time training NHA candidates can be recorded byreceptors.
Step 13: There are national and state licensing exams.
It is likely that your education, internship, AIT program, and real world experiences will prepare you for your state and national licensing exams.It is important to take time to review the subjects of the tests.Taking practice exams will help you prepare for the questions you will be presented with.There are 150 multiple choice questions on the federal exam.Human resources, finance, environment, and leadership and management are all related to resident centered care.Recommended reading, practice exams, and more can be found at thenabweb.org/exam-references.There are 100 multiple choice questions for the California exam.The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 5 and other aspects of nursing home administration are covered.
Step 14: Take the National Nursing Home Administration Examination if you apply.
It is time to apply for the National Nursing Home Administration Exam once you have complied with basic requirements.You will need to provide proof of your education and training in order to be accepted to sit for the national exam, and you must meet all of these requirements prior to taking the exam.The entire application process is done online.The examination fee is charged once the associated credit or debit card is verified.The fee was $375 as of December.The application and fee will be verified by email.You will be notified by the California state board of your eligibility to sit for the exam within four months.An Authorization-to-Test letter will be included in the email that you will receive after approval from the California board.You have sixty days to schedule and complete the exam after you receive the Authorization-to-Test letter.
Step 15: You have to pass the federal exam.
To be eligible to sit for the state of California NHA test, you need to achieve at least 75% on all aspects of theNAB exam.Within a year of acceptance of your initial examination application, you will be able to take the test three times.You will need to restart the application process if you don't complete the exam within the first year.
Step 16: If you want to take the California Nursing Home State Examination, you have to sign up.
You can sit for the California exam once you have passed your federal exam.Each year there are four state tests.The dates for the state exam are posted by the California Department of Public Health.You need to fill out the form.The one page application indicates to the California state exam board that you meet all of the basic and educational requirements to take the exam.You will be notified of your eligibility to apply for NHA licensing in the state of California if you earn at least 75% on all aspects of the exam.
Step 17: You need to apply for the NHA license.
After receiving your approval and proof of completion of your federal and state exams, you need to complete the application process to receive your license.The one page form can be found on the California Department of Public Health's NHAP page.The application is almost the same as the document.The amount of the fee will be the only difference.The fee field needs to be filled in based on the current fee schedule.The license fee was $350 in July.
Step 18: Prepare your resume.
A document that lists your education, training, job experience, awards, and other information valuable to employers is what you will need to begin the job application process.Start with a list of topics.Wages may be provided with your job experience.You should be able to adapt your resume for the NHA job postings of a specific long term care facility once you have a basic outline.If you are applying for a position within a nursing home that caters to more active seniors, you may want to emphasize your past experience in planning and implementing activities and events at other points in your life.The same budgeting, organization, and other skills that are required for planning events for seniors can be used to plan an event for a college sog.If you apply for a job that requires someone who can implement employee performance reviews, training, and educational practices, emphasize any experience you have with human resources.Try to use the same terminology as the job posting.If you can speak the language of the long term care facility you hope to work for, those reviewing your application materials are more likely to interpret your resume positively.
Step 19: Ask for references.
Writing a good, accurate resume that is geared toward a specific job posting is your opportunity to tell a company why they should hire you.Most long term care facilities will call your past employers to verify your work history, but they aren't able to reveal much information to your potential employers without your consent.Ask your current supervisors, AIT preceptor, and some of your coworkers if they would be willing to speak with potential employers.If you apply for a position, make sure to update your references.A phone call or email is usually enough."I sent in an application to a new long term care facility."Is it still possible for you to be contacted as a reference?You should ask for letters of reference to verify information in your resume."Would you be able to write a letter of reference offering your opinion of my performance?" is a question you should ask your administrator if you claim to have managed a large budget in your role as nursing home director.How did you manage the supply budgets for the past several years?
Step 20: National NHA professional organizations are a good place to join.
Networking is one of the main benefits.Potential employers begin their search for new NHAs at these organizations, and you will be able to meet others who work in your field.Career opportunities, networking, and continuing education can be found at the California Association of Health Facilities.You can join the National Association of Broadcasters.As a member of theNAB, you will have access to a variety of nation-wide training resources, up-to-date information about the NHA community, and current job opportunities.
Step 21: Find job postings.
In addition to searching professional organization careers pages, you can use other career resources to find available positions.These sites offer a faster way to apply by storing your education and job experience and completing applications for you throughout the job search process.
Step 22: There are professional job placement agencies that you can apply to.
Staffing services for healthcare can be found throughout California.Team members from these Employment agencies help find the right long term care facility for you.Three of the largest healthcare staffing agencies in California are Flexcare Medical Staffing, Maxim Staffing Solutions, and 365 Healthcare Staffing Services.Many of the long term care facilities throughout the state have relationships with these agencies and they have done the research on current salaries, workplace benefits and more.You can ask other NHAs if they used a staffing agency.Before signing up to work with a staffing agency, ask for a detailed explanation of any placement or service fees associated with their company.This is usually paid by the employer, but this is not always the case.
Step 23: Prepare for the interview.
You should research any nursing homes that offer you a position so you know what their current state of affairs are.Check the facility's standing with the Better Business Bureau and read reviews from residents and their families if you want to know more.Glassdoor can be used to find out about current and past employee experiences.If the facility seems proud of a specific event or service, ask questions based on information on their website.If you find any issues that concern you when looking at resident reviews, the Better Business Bureau, Glassdoor, and other sites, don't hesitate to ask about them.If you are going to work for a long term care facility in an administrative role, you will need to have a complete understanding of these concerns.Wait 2 weeks before following up on your job application and interview if the job ad says otherwise.You need time to review your qualifications, as administrators are often overwhelmed with work and job applicants.
Step 24: Accept the position you're in.
It is not necessary for you to take the first job you are offered.This can be the biggest mistake for a brand new NHA.The wrong position can make you feel bad about the business for the rest of your career.Take the time to find the right place for you and your family.