Pennsylvania Nursing Home Administrator Training Program
Nursing Home Administrator 120-Hour Training Program
Are you interested in becoming a nursing home administrator (NHA) in Pennsylvania? If so, this Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators approved specialty program is designed to provide a knowledge core of education for those interested in pursuing a career in the long-term care administration field. Consisting of sixteen modules, each 7.5 hours in length, the 120-hour program is taught by Penn State University faculty and subject matter experts. This course is required for most unlicensed applicants seeking a Pennsylvania NHA license.
The courses may also serve to satisfy State of Pennsylvania license renewal requirements. Join us for any/all of the programs below and earn 7.5 clock hours of continuing education with each class to satisfy the license renewal requirement.
For information on becoming an NHA in Pennsylvania, please visit the PA State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators Licensure Requirements page.
Where
All sessions will be offered via Zoom. Registrants will be assisted with creating a student account in order to access course materials.
Time
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fridays (please note there are times when classes meet on Saturday)
Cost
The registration fee is $2900 for the full program (16 modules) or $200 per module.
- SPRING 2024 Modules and Schedule
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Modules will be held as detailed below from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
January 12, 2024 — The Role of Government in Health Policy and Regulation
This module discusses government involvement in establishing long-term care rules and regulations.
*Saturday* January 13, 2024 — Preparation for Licensure Certification Accreditation Surveys, and Meeting Other Regulatory Requirements
This module assesses the preparation for surveys and inspections leading to accreditation. Standards of state and federal regulations are reviewed.
January 19, 2024 — Gerontology, Diseases of Aging
This class presents the biological and psychosocial theories of the aging process. The stages of death and dying process will be discussed at length.
January 26, 2024 — Dietary Department and Resident Care
This 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.
February 2, 2024 — Risk Management
This session describes risk management in a long-term care facility. Liability and safety issues, insurance issues, and worker compensation issues will be presented.
February 9, 2024 — Rehabilitation Services and Special Care
This module discusses the skilled therapy services of physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy. Recreation Therapy and the Activities Department are also addressed.
February 16, 2024 — Administration, Organization and Management of the Long-Term Care Facility
This session focuses on administration, organization, and management theories.
*Saturday* February 17, 2024 — Fiscal Management, Budgeting, and Accounting
This session focuses on the financial management of the long-term care facility and introduces basic accounting terms and theories.
February 23, 2024 — The Nursing Department and Resident Care Management
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.
March 1, 2024 — Third Party Reimbursement
Long-term care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay reimbursements are discussed with case presentations and the appeal process.
March 8, 2024 — *No Class, Spring Break*
March 15, 2024 — Personnel Management and Labor Relations
This program addresses personnel issues and labor relations in the long-term care setting. Performance appraisals, employee benefits, staff development, and communication skills are addressed.
March 22, 2024 — Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Public Relations
This 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.
March 29, 2024 — Understanding Regulations, Deficiencies, Plans of Corrections, and Quality Assurance
This class presents understanding of compliance of state and federal regulations to prevent deficiencies. Focuses on examples of citations and guidelines to develop an appropriate plan of action. Discusses importance of a quality assurance program to assist in the process.
April 5, 2024 — Social Services, Family and Community Relationships, and Resident Rights
This class explores the regulations and role of social services in the long-term care facility. Available services to meet resident needs for family and community involvement are discussed.
April 12, 2024 — Health Support Services
This class will discuss the pharmaceutical requirements of the elderly as well as regulations regarding safe drug and treatment administration. Other diagnostic services and components of the clinical record will also be presented.
April 19, 2024 — Facility Support 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.
April 26, 2024 — Industry Professionals Presentations (this meeting is optional as it is not a required part of the state approved curriculum)
- FALL 2024 Modules and Schedule
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Modules will be held as described below from 8 am to 4:30 pm
August 30, 2024 -The Role of Government in Health Policy and Regulation
This module discusses government involvement in establishing long-term care rules and regulations.
September 6, 2024 - Preparation for Licensure Certification Accreditation Surveys, and Meeting Other Regulatory Requirements
This module assesses the preparation for surveys and inspections leading to accreditation. Standards of state and federal regulations are reviewed.
September 13, 2024 - Gerontology, Diseases of Aging
This class presents the biological and psychosocial theories of the aging process. The stages of death and dying process will be discussed at length.
*Saturday * September 14, 2024 - Risk Management
This session describes risk management in a long-term care facility. Liability and safety issues, insurance issues, and worker compensation issues will be presented.
September 20, 2024 - Dietary Department and Resident Care
This 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.
September 27, 2024 - Rehabilitation Services and Special Care
This module discusses the skilled therapy services of physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy. Recreation Therapy and the Activities Department are also addressed.
October 4, 2024 - Administration, Organization and Management of the Long-Term Care Facility
This session focuses on administration, organization, and management theories.
October 11, 2024 - Fiscal Management, Budgeting, and Accounting
This session focuses on the financial management of the long-term care facility, and introduces basic accounting terms and theories.
October 18, 2024 - The Nursing Department and Resident Care Management
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.
October 25, 2024 - Third Party Reimbursement
Long-term care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay reimbursements are discussed with case presentations and the appeal process.
November 1, 2024 - Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Public Relations
This 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.
November 8, 2024 - Understanding Regulations, Deficiencies, Plans of Corrections, and Quality Assurance
This class presents understanding of compliance of state and federal regulations to prevent deficiencies. Focuses on examples of citations and guidelines to develop an appropriate plan of action. Discusses importance of a quality assurance program to assist in the process.
November 15, 2024 - Social Services, Family and Community Relationships, and Resident Rights
This class explores the regulations and role of social services in the long-term care facility. Available services to meet resident needs for family and community involvement are discussed.
November 22, 2024 - Personnel Management and Labor Relations
This program addresses personnel issues and labor relations in the long-term care setting. Performance appraisals, employee benefits, staff development, and communication skills are addressed.
November 29, 2024 THANKSGIVING BREAK NO CLASS
December 6, 2024 - Health Support Services
This class will discuss the pharmaceutical requirements of the elderly as well as regulations regarding safe drug and treatment administration. Other diagnostic services and components of the clinical record will also be presented.
December 13, 2024 - Facility Support Services: Bldg./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.
Registration
We encourage online registration for the Pennsylvania Nursing Home Administrator Training Program. You may either register for the full program or select the individual modules you need. On Jan. 12, 2024, the option for full registration for the SPRING 2024 course ended; however individual module registration for SPRING is available until midnight on the Sunday prior to the start of the module.
To register for the FALL 2024 program which will begin in August please use this link to register.
Registration and payment must be received prior to the start of the first module you are attending.
Registration contact
Please contact csco@psu.edu or call 814-865-8301.
Program contact
For general questions, contact Lisa Clapper at 814-865-8898 or lrc139@psu.edu.
For program content questions, contact Francis King, fjk14@psu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do I find information about becoming a Pennsylvania nursing home administrator (NHA)?
A: The Pennsylvania Department of State provides a snapshot of requirements here:
This page has additional links to the full licensing regulations under the Board Resources links.
Q: Where do I register for the Penn State, University park 120-hour course?
A: Course information and registration as a non-credit student can be found at: https://hhd.psu.edu/outreach/pennsylvania-nursing-home-administrator-training-program
Q: If I complete this course, am I prepared to take the licensing exams?
A: No. This course is one of the requirements for most people interested in becoming a Pennsylvania licensed nursing home administrator. Other requirements are related to education and experience. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the licensing regulations for a complete listing of the requirements and various pathways outlined in the regulations.
Q: Do I have to attend all 16 sessions?
A: Yes. Pennsylvania licensing regulations require that all 16 modules be completed.
Q: If I miss a module, are there make-up sessions?
A: No. There are no make-up sessions planned. Students will need to find another approved course or wait until it is offered again by University Park. There are no refunds for missed modules.
Q: Is this course a good guide to studying for the federal and state exams?
A: This course is designed to meet the Pennsylvania requirements of a 120-hour course as prescribed by the licensing board. This course is approved by the licensing board. As such, it addresses those requirements and is not designed or intended to address material that may be contained in the federal and state exams.
Q: Does Penn State provide administrator-in- training (AIT) internships?
A: Obtaining the experience requirements outlined in the regulations is up to the student.
Q: Where do I find information on the AIT requirements?
A: The licensing regulations provide this information.
Q: How long does it take to become an NHA in Pennsylvania?
A: The process can take several months to a few years depending on the pathway chosen from the regulations.
Q: Where can I find study materials?
A: The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) has a great deal of information for those seeking licensure as an NHA. The website can be found at: https://www.nabweb.org/home
Q: I am interested in becoming licensed in states besides Pennsylvania. Where can I find information on this?
A: The NAB has this information on its website.
Cancellation
If your request to cancel is received at least 5 business days in advance, we can issue a partial refund. Send your written request to Lisa Clapper at lrc139@psu.edu. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for each withdrawal.
Access
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the program planner, Lisa Clapper, at lrc139@psu.edu, at least two weeks prior to the program.