Course Overview
The role of the nursing home administrator is to supervise, plan, develop, monitor, and maintain appropriate standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. The nursing home administrator must have effective communication, leadership, and business skills in order to be successful.
This Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators-approved specialty program is designed to provide core knowledge for those interested in pursuing a career in the long term care administration field. The courses may also satisfy State of Pennsylvania license renewal requirements.
Course Scope
Consisting of sixteen courses, each 7.5 hours in length, the 120-hour program is taught by Penn State faculty and subject matter experts (SMEs). Enrollment is ongoing: begin in the spring and finish in the fall, or begin in the fall and finish in the spring. The fall and spring sessions each have eight classes, for a total of sixteen sessions.
This training program satisfies the 120-hour education component as part of the NHA exam candidate application. For information on qualifying for the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) exam, please visit requirements for admission to licensing examination; examination procedures.
Course Details
Delivery: Live online via Zoom
Dates: Monday and Wednesday evenings
Time: 6:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $175 per 7.5 hour class
(16 classes totaling $2,800 for all 120 hours of training)
Nursing Home Administrator Spring 2022 Schedule
April 4 and 6 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Dietary Department, Resident Nutrition (HPA 5050)
Dietary Department and Resident Nutrition - Program will address the nutritional needs of the elderly resident. Common eating problems/digestive problems will present the importance of assessing and corresponding treatment will be discussed.
April 11 and 13 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Strategic Planning (HPA 5053)
Strategic planning, marketing, and public relations module will describe concepts of marketing and public relations in the long-term care facility. Defining and utilizing the mission statement and goal setting to develop a strategic plan will be presented.
April 18 and 19 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Gerontology, Diseases of Aging (HPA 5040)
Gerontology, diseases of aging, death and dying class presents the biological and psychosocial theories of the aging process. The stages of death and dying process will be discussed at length.
April 25 and 27 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Nursing Department and Resident Care (HPA 5046)
This program focuses on the complete nursing care of the resident, utilizing a planned interdisciplinary process. Patient rights, confidentiality and individualized needs of the resident are preserved. Staff communication skills and ethical behavior are promoted.
May 3 and 4 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Rehabilitation Services and Special Care (HPA 5047)
Rehabilitation services and special care needs this module discusses resident's rights to assessments, treatments and service delivery systems of the long term care facility.
Nursing Home Administrator Fall 2022 Schedule
August 22 and 24 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Risk Management, Safety, and Insurance Risk Management (HPA 5052)
Safety, and Insurance Session describes risk management in a long-term care facility. Liability and safety issues, insurance issues, and worker compensation issues will be presented.
August 29 and 31 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Pennsylvania Nursing Homes: Preparing for Licensure/Certification/Accreditation Surveys, and Meeting Other Regulatory Requirements (HPA 5038) -
Review of the preparation for Licensure certification, accreditation surveys and meeting other regulatory requirements. This module reviews the standards of state and federal regulations.
September 6 and 7 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Understanding Regulations, Deficiencies, Plans of Correction and Quality Assurances (HPA 5045)
Overview of the compliance of state and federal regulations to prevent deficiencies. Examples of citations, appropriate plans of action and quality assurance are also presented.
September 12 and 14 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.Health Support Services, Pharmacy, Medical Records & Diagnostic Services (HPA 5048) Review of Health support services including pharmacy, medical records, and diagnostic services. Will discuss pharmaceutical requirements of the elderly and regulations regarding safe drug and treatment administration.
September 19 and 21 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Social Services, Family and Community Relationships, and Resident Rights (HPA 5051)
Overview of social services, family and community relationships and resident’s rights. Regulations and the role of social services in the long-term care community. Examples and resources that meet resident’s, family and community needs will be discussed.
September 26 and 28 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Fiscal Management, Budget and Accounting Fiscal Management, Budget, and Accounting (HPA 5042)
This session focuses on the financial management of the long-term care facility, budgeting, and accounting.
October 3 and 5 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Administration, Organization and Management of the Long-Term Care Facility (HPA 5039)
This session focuses on administration, organization, and management of the long-term care facility, with emphasis on current and future health care issues.
October 10 and 12 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
PA Nursing Homes: Government in Healthcare Policy and Regulation (HPA 5041)
The Role of Government in Health Care Policy Regulation and Reimbursement - This module discusses government involvement in establishing long term care rules and regulations.
October 17 and 19 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. (HPA 5053)
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning, marketing, and public relations module will describe concepts of marketing and public relations in the long-term care facility. Defining and utilizing the mission statement and goal setting to develop a strategic plan will be presented.
October 24 and 26 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Facilities Support Services (HPA 5049)
Facility supports services: building/grounds, housekeeping, laundry, and central supply, this Module will present the regulations governing the external and internal physical environment of the long-term care facility.
October 31 and November 2 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Gerontology, Diseases of Aging (HPA 5040)
Gerontology, diseases of aging, death and dying class presents the biological and psychosocial theories of the aging process. The stages of death and dying process will be discussed at length.
November 7 and 9 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Third Party Reimbursements (HPA 5044)
Long term care reimbursements are discussed with case presentations and the appeal process.
November 14 and 16 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Dietary Department, Resident Nutrition (HPA 5050)
Dietary Department and Resident Nutrition - Program will address the nutritional needs of the elderly resident. Common eating problems/digestive problems will present the importance of assessing and corresponding treatment will be discussed.
November 28 and 30 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Personnel Management, Labor Relations (HPA 5043)
Program addresses personnel issues and labor relations in the long-term care setting. Performance appraisals, employee benefits, staff development and communication skills are addressed.
December 5 and 7 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Rehabilitation Services and Special Care (HPA 5047)
Rehabilitation services and special care needs this module discusses resident's rights to assessments, treatments, and service delivery systems of the long-term care facility.
December 12 and 14 from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Nursing Department and Resident Care (HPA 5046)
This program focuses on the complete nursing care of the resident, utilizing a planned interdisciplinary process. Patient rights, confidentiality and individualized needs of the resident are preserved. Staff communication skills and ethical behavior are promoted.