What Does it Take to be an Assisted Living Administrator?

(The Big Picture:  Because senior living and long-term care are the fastest growing employment areas, Assisted Living Administrators are in high demand. In this article, MedBest covers their job duties, education requirements, average yearly salary in the US, key skills required, and career growth opportunities.)

The senior care and long-term care industry is one of the largest growing employment fields in the US. This is due to our rapidly aging population. The Administration on Aging predicts that by 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or over. The sheer number of seniors who will require services in the future is mind-blowing. This means that careers in senior care, including Assisted Living, Independent Living, CCRC, Skilled Nursing Communities, Memory Care and Home Care will be plentiful. 

There are many careers available in all segments and MedBest is experiencing an uptick in the need for leaders especially at the C-Suite, VP, Director & Regional levels. Also, in high demand, are the community level roles including Assisted Living Administrators, Executive Directors, Nursing Home Administrators and Directors of Nursing.  However, for this piece, we’ll examine the career of an Assisted Living Administrator. 

Job Duties of an Assisted Living Administrator

The Assisted Living Administrator, sometimes known as an Assisted Living Manager or Executive Director, is a crucial professional responsible for the overall operation and management of an assisted living facility. Their job duties are diverse and encompass the following key areas: 

Operational Management:

Overseeing daily operations: 

This includes everything from staffing and resident care to community relations and facility maintenance.

Developing and implementing policies and procedures: 

Ensuring that the facility runs smoothly and that all processes are efficient and effective.

Ensuring compliance: 

Staying up-to-date with and adhering to all state and federal regulations governing assisted living facilities. This includes health, safety, and resident rights.

Emergency planning and crisis management: 

Developing and implementing plans for various emergencies (e.g., fires, power outages, natural disasters).

Staff Management and Development

Hiring, training, and evaluating staff. Recruiting qualified personnel, providing necessary training, and conducting performance reviews.

Scheduling and delegating tasks: 

Ensuring adequate staffing levels and efficient distribution of duties for 24/7 resident care.

Providing leadership & mentorship: 

Fostering a positive work environment, promoting teamwork, and supporting staff professional development and address conflicts, concerns, and disciplinary matters.

Resident Care and Satisfaction

Coordinating resident care: 

Overseeing the development and implementation of personalized care plans that meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the residents.

Assuring resident safety and well-being: 

Implementing and monitoring safety protocols, maintaining a clean environment, and ensuring appropriate care interventions.

Resolving resident complaints and concerns: 

Acting as a liaison between residents, their families, and staff to address issues and ensure satisfaction.

Fostering a vibrant community atmosphere: 

Planning and coordinating activities, programs, and events to promote social engagement and overall well-being.

Communicating with residents and families: 

Maintaining open lines of communication about care, services, and facility updates.

Financial and Business Management
 

Managing budgets and finances: 

Developing, overseeing, and adhering to facility budgets, including revenue and expenses.

Overseeing billing and setting fees: 

Managing financial transactions and ensuring accurate billing for services.

Strategic planning: 

Participating in the long-term planning for the facility, including growth and improvement initiatives.

Marketing and community outreach: 

Promoting the facility to potential residents and families and building relationships with community partners.

Administrative and Record Keeping
Maintaining accurate records

Keeping up-to-date documentation for residents, staff, and facility operations (e.g., medical, financial, personal information).

Preparing reports: 

Generating official reports for governing boards, state, and federal agencies. Contract and vendor management including overseeing agreements with service providers and suppliers.

In essence, an Assisted Living Administrator is a multi-faceted role requiring strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with a deep understanding of the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities. They are responsible for ensuring high-quality care, a safe environment, and efficient operations within the assisted living community.

Assisted Living Administrator Education Requirements

To become an Assisted Living Administrator, a strong educational foundation is essential. While specific requirements may vary state by state, most states require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as a minimum. 

Depending on the size and complexity of the Assisted Living community, an employer may require you to have a bachelor’s degree specifically in business or health administration. Other courses that you may need to focus on included finance & budgeting, business management, accounting, human resources management, healthcare law and ethics, quality assurance & risk management, strategic planning and health information systems. Elective courses in psychology and sociology might also be valuable since they help to strengthen interpersonal skills.

Earning a Master’s Degree

Earning a master’s degree can significantly provide a competitive edge in the job market for an Assisted Living Administrator.  Advanced knowledge and skills beyond a bachelors degree is looked upon favorably. A master’s degree demonstrates a higher level of expertise and commitment to the field.

Assisted Living Administrator Licensing Requirements

After completing the education requirements, aspiring Assisted Living Administrators must obtain the necessary licensing and certification. However, licensing requirements will vary by state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most states require an Assisted Living Administrator candidate to pass a national examination by the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrators Board also referred to as the NAB. Once the candidate passes the exam, continuing education courses will be required to keep the license active. 

Practical Experience…The Administrator in Training or AIT Program

The Administrator in Training Program is a critical component for an aspiring Assisted Living Administrator. In some states, it’s a must have. This program is a supervised internship that provides hands-on experience and practical knowledge necessary to manage an Assisted Living Community. It essentially bridges the gap between academic knowledge and the real-world challenges of managing a community. This program gives future Assisted Living Administrators a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to take on the full responsibility of this role. 

Average Salary of Assisted Living Administrators

Assisted Living Administrators are in high demand as well as the role of Interim Assisted Living Administrator. 

According to GlassDoor, the estimated salary for a fairly new Assisted Living Administrator in the US is $75,359 per year, with an average salary of $64,404 per year. These numbers represent the median income. The estimated additional pay is $10,955 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.  Experienced Assistant Living Administrators earn more. Top earners could see an annual salary of $148,000 and average earners around $93,000. However, note that it depends on location. 

Key Skills Required for Assisted Living Administrators

• Leadership
• Financial Management
• Analytical
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Interpersonal Skills
• Team-Oriented
• Empathy & Compassion

Alternative Careers for Assisted Living Administrators

Aside from Assisted Living Administration jobs, licensed Administrators may work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, government and home health care services as Clinical Managers, Health Information Managers or Assistant Administrators. Outside of the medical field some administrator jobs and careers include human resources management and social and community service management.

Growth of Assisted Living Jobs & Facilities

Assisted Living facilities and communities are growing rapidly around the US. The trend away from nursing home living has created a new market for individuals needing some assistance but wanting to remain mostly independent. Assisted Living facilities are their solution

Why Choose MedBest as Your Assisted Living Administrator Search Partner & Assisted Living Executive Recruiter?

As former senior healthcare executives, including Assisted Living Administrators and Nursing Home Administrators, we know that it can take just one leader for total transformation! 

Since MedBest’s leadership and senior recruiting team have been on both sides of the hiring process, we understand what is required to successfully place the right executive in the right role.

MedBest Recruiters works with many Assisted Living Communities across the US and have placed hundreds of executive professionals.

We’ve created a recruiting process that enables us to select the most desirable leaders for vital roles within assisted living communities

We offer two recruiting packages, MedBest Advantage and MedBest Professional Headhunting Retained Search to meet the needs of our clients:

At the heart of both packages is research. Most of our candidates are currently employed and not in
“need” of a position – but instead “desire” a more fulfilling role. The candidates at MedBest have proven track records and are known for being some of the most sought-after talent throughout the healthcare industry. We use a variety of resources during our comprehensive research process, including identifying job requirements the organizational culture of our client, time frame required, and clear objectives. Remember our recruiters originate from the healthcare industry, so your business has been our business for decades.

The MedBest Premium Package is the Professional Headhunting Retained Search. This search taps into 70 percent of the senior care talent pool that is typically untouched by the standard contingent search process! This ensures a perfect match with personality assessments. There is a very clear connection between personality and engagement, performance, and profit. With this state-of-the-art testing, our experts can anticipate possible issues that may arise in the assisted living environment and eliminate them before they begin; this makes long-term success nearly guaranteed. MedBest’s headhunting team successfully completed an extensive training program by an expert London-based firm. This training enables us to deliver high quality results for long-term success! 

MedBest doesn’t just place executives, we place longevity…leaders that stick! Contact us for the executive leaders you need, including Assistant Living Administrator at 727-526-1294 / info@medbest.com.

ABOUT MEDBEST

MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living / Long Term Care Industry. For more than two decades, we have connected senior living / long term care organizations with exceptional senior living executive talent for both permanent and interim roles. MedBest was named as a Top 20 Executive Search Firm in the US 2024 and Top 10 Interim Services Provider 2023! In addition, we were one of American’s top companies by Inc.5000 and a Tampa Fast 50 Company in 2021! MedBest is a member of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS) and American Staffing Association (ASA). Contact MedBest at info@medbest.com / 727-526-1294.