Residential Care Facility Administrators Needed

If you’re fairly certain you want to become a professional administrator and you also enjoy working with older adults, you might want to consider beginning your career at a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, otherwise known as RCFE. These are certified assisted living homes within California. Due to the growing population of Californians aged 65 and over, there is a high demand for qualified staff to help run these facilities. So if you're good at paying attention to details, keeping good records, and have a passion for elder care you might want to explore the option of becoming a RCFE administrator.

Requirements
Anyone who’s at least 21 years of age and has a high school diploma or GED can become certified to work as a RCFE admin professional. There are a total of 80 hours of classes that are required. After completing all of the necessary coursework, you will need to take a State of California examination and pass with at least 70%. If you meet all of these requirements you can submit your application and fee to the state and your certificate will be mailed to you.

Responsibilities

A RCFE administrator is responsible for managing the administrative components of residential assisted living facilities. They need to hire, train, and supervise staff. They are usually responsible for managing budgets and possibly writing grants. Administrative staff need to be great at keeping records and ensuring that all necessary permits and licenses are valid and on file. They may also make presentations to community groups and/or to a board of directors.

Training

Ongoing training is important in this line of work. You will be required to complete 40 hours of continuing education classes on an annual basis in order to keep your certification. This is important because regulations can change from year to year and you will need to keep informed about any new legal requirements for your facility.

How To Become a California Assisted Living Administrator

Assisted-living care is a 24-hour model for elder residents not needing extensive medical care. If you are interested in managing a California residential care facility for elders you will need an RCFE certification that covers the range of services offered by residential facilities.

What RCFE Services Include
RCFEs, or assisted living facilities, are social housing complexes organized around activities and community interaction. Meals are provided, though some residents may choose to prepare meals in their own kitchens. Many RCFEs provide personal care assistance and various levels of resident supervision. Medication may be dispensed, but assisted living facilities do not provide medical staff.

What an Administrator Does
An Assisted Living Administrator is a certified manager who oversees the daily operations of the facility, including administrative, marketing, direct patient services and rehabilitation. The RCFE certification program trains potential administrators in all facility services. Matching patients to their needs is the primary function of an RCFE administrator.

How To Obtain Certification
If you are over age 21 and have a high school diploma or GED, you qualify to register for RCFE training. The course involves 80 hours of online and in-person instruction, a 100-question exam and a background check. The certification generally costs around $600 and can be completed in as little as a couple of months. Cost for materials and licensing are extra and can vary based on location and facility size.

Administrators also need to stay current by completing continuing education during each two-year certification period; a portion of those hours must pertain to serving residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Training is also available for your staff. If your facility provides medication distribution, your staff will need the medication training unit.

If you’ve always wanted to work in the eldercare industry, managing a residential care facility is a good way to start making a difference. California’s certification program is standardized and easy to qualify for with a high school diploma. If you are looking for a change and love eldercare services, this certification may be a great place to start.