Assisted Living Administrator Certification and Courses

<p>Specific courses in assisted living administration are available as individual classes and as part of a certificate program. Most courses in these programs are tailored to meet the minimum requirements to work and sit for competency exams in your state. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are also an option, either instead of or in tandem with a certificate program. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Program Options</b> </td><td> Assisted living administrator continuing education courses, assisted living facilities manager certification courses; Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Certificate in Long-Term Care Administration; bachelor's or master's degree in healthcare management or a similar field</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Chronic illness, infection control, neurological impairments, disabilities, resident care issues, Alzheimer's disease and patient care issues, housing for older adults</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Licensing/Certification</b> </td><td> Some states require licensure; voluntary certification as a Certified Assisted Living or Nursing Home Administrator is available through the American College of Health Care Administrators.</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhereCanIFindCoursesForAssistedLivingAdministrators">Where Can I Find Courses for Assisted Living Administrators?</h3> <p>Courses for aspiring assisted living administrators are commonly offered through the continuing education departments of universities and community colleges. You might enroll in an Assisted Living Administrator Certificate program through such a department. Certificate programs are offered in varying formats. Some can be completed in as little as four day-long sessions, with various subjects taught throughout the course. Other programs require more traditional, semester-long courses that are often offered in online or hybrid formats. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreMyDegreeOptions">What Are My Degree Options?</h3> <p>You could also enroll in a bachelor's or master's degree program in healthcare management, public health, health services administration or a related field. Completing a degree program can sometimes make you more desirable to potential employers. You can even pair one of these programs with a certificate program in assisted living administration in order to gain a specialization in the field. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3> <p>Assisted living administrator programs train you to manage assisted living and senior care facilities. Throughout your coursework, you will also gain a working knowledge of the skills that are necessary for working in long-term care. You'll likely be learning about these topics, among others: </p> <ul><li>Ethics and quality of care </li><li>Financial management </li><li>Long-term care law </li><li>Eldercare and assisted living issues </li><li>Industry regulations </li><li>Administrative practices in a nursing home </li><li>Overview of long-term care settings </li><li>Physical and psychological aspects of aging </li></ul><h3 id="section---HowDoIGainCertification">How Do I Gain Certification?</h3> <p>While many assisted living administrator courses are offered as certificate programs, they do not bestow professional certification. The requirements for working as an assisted living administrator vary by state, and professional certification signals to employers that you are capable of fulfilling all of the roles of your profession. </p> <p>To gain professional certification, you must meet the specific educational and work experience standards of the certifying organization. Some organizations, such as the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), also require that you complete assessments to determine if you are proficient in the field. Through the ACHCA, you can earn either the Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA) or the Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA) credential (<i>www.achca.org</i>).</p>