Pros and Cons of a Career in Assisted Living Administration
Rather than focusing solely on the financial and managerial aspects of a business or an organization, assisted living administrators are also responsible for the care of residents. Some more pros and cons of a career in this field are outlined below.
| Pros of an Assisted Living Administration Career |
|---|
| Multiple opportunities for advancement* |
| Competitive pay (median annual salary was about $92,810 as of 2014)** |
| Can work in a variety of environments (nursing homes, retirement communities, residential care)* |
| Can be personally rewarding to help care for the elderly* |
| Cons of an Assisted Living Administration Career |
|---|
| Irregular hours, including emergency calls** |
| Some higher-level positions require years of education or experience** |
| Job responsibilities can be stressful*** |
| State patient care regulations are extensive *** |
Sources: *National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ***Assisted Living Federation of America
Essential Career Info
Job Description and Duties
An assisted living administrator is a type of long-term care administrator who's responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of such facilities as senior living communities, congregate housing and special care units. Job responsibilities may include marketing and selling services to clients and their families or budgeting a facility's financial resources. Administrators in this field are also responsible for overseeing the quality of patient care services, whether by recruiting and retaining a well-qualified staff or ensuring that patients' physical and social needs are being met. If you take a job in this field, you'll also need to be familiar with state regulations that pertain to employee laws and the administration of medication.
Salary Statistics and Job Outlook
According to the results of a compensation survey published by the National Center for Assisted Living in its 2011 newsletter, assisted living administrators earned an average annual salary of about $71,000, but statistics from more recent sources vary greatly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that the broader field of medical and health services management would experience a 23% job growth over the 2012-2022 decade, which was faster than the average for other jobs (www.bls.gov). Medical and health services managers earned a yearly average wage of approximately $103,680 as of May 2014.
Career Requirements
Education Options
To work as an assisted living administrator, you typically must earn an associate or bachelor's degree in health care administration or long-term care administration. Higher-level positions at hospitals may require you to earn a master's degree in long-term care administration or business administration. Some community colleges offer certificate and continuing education programs that can help you meet specific state certification or licensing requirements. Course topics can include facilities management, resident care and long-term care law. They may also include an internship component, where you can accumulate several hundred hours of clinical experience at an assisted living facility.
Certification and Licensure Requirements
Some states regulate the practice of assisted living administrators by requiring them to become certified or licensed. In many cases, candidates need to acquire an appropriate combination of work experience and postsecondary education. Other states may also require applicants to complete state-approved training and internship programs. Passing scores on written exams are another common requirement. You might take a state-issued exam or the Residential Care/Assisted Living Administrator exam offered through the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards.
What Employers Are Looking For
In addition to supervisory experience and some college education, employers usually seek applicants who have some familiarity with marketing and finance, in addition to good communication and organizational skills. Some sample job posts from February 2012 list common job requirements.
- A private healthcare company is looking for an administrator with three years of combined experience and education to oversee the staffing and quality of resident care at its assisted living facility in Tennessee.
- A nonprofit housing organization in South Carolina seeks an administrator with 3-5 years of experience to manage its independent and assisted senior living communities. Prior nonprofit experience is requested, but not a requirement.
- A long-term care facility in Nevada is looking for an assisted living administrator who can manage the facility's finances and employee relations. Applicants for this position need two years of experience, and a bachelor's degree is preferred.
How to Get an Edge in the Field
To set yourself apart as an administrator, you may want to consider taking some business classes to build your sales and marketing skills or learn about finance. Courses that cover group dynamics, interpersonal communication or conflict management may also be helpful, since many of your job responsibilities involve managing both patients and staff members.
Taking advantage of resources available through professional organizations, such as the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards or the National Center for Assisted Living, might also give you an edge when entering the job field. These resources can include training materials, clinical practice guidelines and study guides for certification exams. You may also be able to take advantage of the networking opportunities available through organization membership.
Alternative Career Paths
Nursing home administration might be another career option to consider if you're interested in providing services to patients who need extensive rehabilitation or nursing care. These administrators also must meet similar licensing requirements, which usually include the completion of a bachelor's degree program, in addition to a state-approved internship and training program. Professionals must also pass a written exam, according to the BLS.
If you'd rather have more hands-on or clinical responsibilities, you might consider becoming a nurse supervisor in a long-term care facility. These professionals are usually registered nurses (RNs) who have experience working in a nursing home or retirement community. To earn the RN credential, you must complete a nursing associate or bachelor's degree program approved by your state board of nursing, according to the BLS. You'll also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The BLS reported that RNs made a mean yearly salary of about $69,000 as of May 2011.
