Assisted living administrators oversee all operations in residential facilities that primarily accommodate the aged. Read on to learn about the job responsibilities and the licensing that is required in many states.
Assisted Living Administrator Licensing Requirements
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some states require assisted living administrators to be licensed. In states that do not require a license, you typically need to meet other requirements, such as a minimum age requirement. For example, according to North Carolina's Division of Health Service Regulation, you have to be at least 21 years old. In Alabama, the Board of Examiners of Assisted Living Administrators notes that you have to be at least 19 years old.
Requirements may also include a criminal background check. Most states require you to have a college education or a combination of college and work experience. You may be required to complete a state training program. All states that require a license have an exam requirement.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutAnAssistedLivingAdministratorLicense"> Important Facts About an Assisted Living Administrator License</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Common Exam Topics </td><td> Client/resident services management; human resources management; leadership and governance; physical environment management; financial management</td></tr>
<tr><td> Certification Levels </td><td> Designations vary by state; Alabama offers category I and II designations</td></tr>
<tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Exams are not available online; however, practice exams are fully available through the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards</td></tr>
<tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> CE credits are typically required in order to renew licensure</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---JobOverview">Job Overview</h3><p>As an assisted living administrator, your job is to make sure the facility runs smoothly, which can include setting policies and procedures. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring the staff is doing their jobs correctly and that patients are receiving proper care. You may also run employee training programs, manage facility finances and ensure your facility is meeting all legal requirements.
</p><p>Making decisions about human resources, policy changes, building maintenance and other aspects of the daily facility operations are common responsibilities of this position. You may interact with residents and their families, state workers, staff, healthcare professionals and others who do business with your facility.
</p><h3 id="section---CareerRequirements">Career Requirements</h3><p>According to January 2016 job ads from <i>Monster.com</i>, employers generally expect you to have at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in public health administration or business administration. Employers may also require experience in assisted living and management.
</p><p>You usually need to have your administrator's license before being hired in states that have licensing requirements. Some employers may require a criminal background check.
</p><h3 id="section---JobGrowthAndSalaryEstimates">Job Growth and Salary Estimates</h3><p>The BLS predicted that jobs for health services and medical managers will grow by 28% from 2021-2031, much faster than average for other occupations. The median annual wage for all types of health services and medical managers was $101,340 in May 2021, the BLS noted.</p>
