The National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and the American College of Health Care Administrators today introduced two new training programs.
Essentially, the Administrator-in-Training (AIT) and Preceptor Programs go hand-in-hand: the AIT Program is a supervised internship, during which the AIT works and trains under a Preceptor’s guidance.
“This unique internship provides an important bridge to work in long term care administration in a Nursing Home, Assisted Living and/or Home and Community-Based Services,” said Randy Lindner, CEO of NAB.
Goals of the AIT Program
Working together, the AIT and Preceptor develop their particular program based on education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities. The National AIT program has three goals:
- Spur and enhance the AIT’s professional development in the field of long term care (LTC) administration
- Equip the AIT with the tools and knowledge they will need as an administrator
- Engage the AIT in observing and participating in activities associated with administration or resident/patient care
“Several studies (Castle 2011, Chies 2010 & 2012) indicate the importance of professional development for a successful LTC administrator career,” said Lindner.
Goals of On-Line Preceptor Training Program
The Preceptor Training Program focuses on four goals:
- Show the basics of how AIT experiences work
- Recognize that the preceptor’s relationship with the AIT is more critical to their success than any factual information the preceptor could impart
- Prepare the preceptor to lead in building a relationship that embodies mutual respect, trust, honesty and acceptance of risk
- Ensure the preceptor will be both a guide and a role model as s/he facilitates the orientation, development, and professional growth of their AIT
To access these training programs, visit nabweb.org or achca.org. While the training programs are copyrighted, they may be used without a fee, though they cannot be used as stand-alone revenue generating programs.
Because state licensing requirements may vary (ranging from 0-2,000 hours), NAB suggests that the AIT experience include a minimum of 1,000 hours. Calculated another way, 1,000 hours would allow the AIT to spend approximately six months in a structured, individualized apprenticeship. And as with the AIT Training program, because state requirements for preceptor training may vary, the state regulatory board or agency would determine compliance.
NAB recommends that all states adopt the NAB/ACHCA AIT Training Program and Preceptor Training Course as their state standard requirements.
“We are pleased to offer this training program in partnership with NAB, as our two organizations are committed to excellence in long term care administration,” said Cecilia Sepp, President and CEO, ACHCA. “Studies show that strong AIT experiences lead to better prepared administrators, and this program assists preceptors in their critical role guiding a successful AIT experience,” she said.
NAB, the nation’s authority on licensing executives in long term care to deliver quality care, convenes 52 state regulatory boards and agencies, former state regulatory board members, academicians, continuing education sponsors and affiliated associations.
For more information, contact Randy Lindner at (202) 712-9040.
