Matthew P. , a nursing home administrator, is the one I interviewed. He has a degree in Nursing and is currently taking up a Masters degree in New York University (Matthew P. , 2007). He also has a 12-month Board-approved Administrator-In-Training Program; 24 months of field experience and 24 months of service as Administrator-of-Record in an out-of-state nursing facility (Matthew P. , 2007). In addition to that, he has fulfilled a one hundred-hour pre-licensure course in nursing home administration and completion of a course in Nursing Home Administration (Matthew P. , 2007).
Duties (Daily and Weekly Routines, Span of Control) According to the interviewee, his duties include the following: He properly directs the day-to-day functions of the nursing home strictly observing the recent standards of the federal, state, as well as, that of the local (Matthew P. , 2007). He takes note of the regulations to guarantee that the highest degree of quality care will be given to the clients of the nursing home (Matthew P. , 2007). During Fridays, he would conduct a staff meeting before he calls it a day (Matthew P. , 2007).
Here, he requires that the head of each department presents a summary of everything that occurred in their respective assignments (Matthew P. , 2007). These department heads are encouraged to report all the good news, as well as, the not so good news (Matthew P. , 2007). If everything that has been reported were good news, the administrator goes on to remind everyone of management functions, he leads in organizing, directing, innovating, and even marketing the facility (Matthew P. , 2007).
He focuses on the human resources (Matthew P. , 2007). Every meeting, he always identifies the functions, tasks, and responsibilities of the human resources, which is really annoying at first as if his subordinates do not know that yet, however, they came to realize that he just wanted to reiterate to them what they need and should do in order to deliver the needs of clients (Matthew P. , 2007). Unlike other administrators he finds the time and patience to listen to whatever the dilemma of the human resources are (Matthew P., 2007).
Plus he takes care of his subordinates like his own family, for instance, he gives incentives for a job well done, he sends subordinates to significant trainings and seminar-workshops to know more about the trends, as well as, current issues of nursing homes (Matthew P. , 2007). If not everything are taken to be good news then, he goes on to listen further to the problem presented, patiently inquires about it and eventually start planning on whatever solution that may address the dilemma (Matthew P. , 2007).
One of the dilemmas presented and immediately made known to the administrator was when two of the nurses filed for resignation (Matthew P. , 2007). As we all know, this will cause damage to the schedules of shifts and more importantly to the quality of care the clients of the nursing home will receive (Matthew P. , 2007). This prompted the administrator to lead the planning of employment needs (Matthew P. , 2007). He takes the time to listen to suggestions and not just consider his own plans and his own decisions (Matthew P., 2007).
Taking into consideration the suggestions made with regards to the need for replacement of staff nurses, he ordered that recruitment be carried out by initially publishing for the need of two staff nurses indicating the qualifications required, as well as, the task and functions of the vacancy or position aforementioned (Matthew P. , 2007). He is just so well organized, so systematic and a very objective person (Matthew P. , 2007).
During the days where no meeting or emergency meeting of any sort is scheduled, he is seen to go around the nursing home, visiting each department, even taking a look at the surroundings sometimes, making sure that no dust is present in the home that may trigger asthma or any other respiratory related disease (Matthew P. , 2007). He takes a look at client’s charts as well, making sure that he is updated about every case (Matthew P. , 2007).
The last of his activity for the day everyday is to check on the client’s himself, speaking to them, making time for each and everyone, to make sure if they are okay, to ask of what they need, to know if the staff of the nursing home treats them nicely etc (Matthew P. , 2007). This not only makes it personal, it also guarantees that the nursing home can and will deliver the services necessary to put up with the needs of the clients (Matthew P. , 2007). Pros and Cons of Working as a Nursing Home Administrator
According to the interviewee, there are no cons really, except that since there are so many things to oversee, the work becomes too tedious (Matthew P. , 2007). Other than that, the effects are all advantages. First of all the interviewee learns to become patient as he gets to deal with old clients who are either too weak or too old (Matthew P. , 2007). He also gets to learn more about management of human resources as he mingles with several subordinates (Matthew P. , 2007). Major Changes in their Field or in General There were no major changes really (Matthew P. , 2007).
Type of Training Needed to Enter Nursing Home Administrator Profession Today Nowadays, to become a nursing home administrator, trainings are required. Some of these include the following: 1) ethical and professional training; 2) coursework in long-term care, personnel management, and gerontology; 3) supplementary coursework in Health Care Facility Administration, Health Care Financing, Legal Issues in Health Care, Gerontology, and Personnel Management; 4) Administrator-in-training program for 12 months; 5) etc (Matthew P. , 2007).