How to Become an RCFE Administrator

For anyone who wants to enter the field of residential care and assisted living management in the state of California, it is necessary to get licensed by the state. Becoming a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator provides the required license to own and operate a senior care facility. An RCFE is specific to California and can range in size including everything from retirement homes and assisted living facilities to board and care homes.

Guide to Becoming an RCFE Administrator

There are some qualifications and training that must be met in order to become an RCFE Administrator. An Administrator must be at least 21 years old and must hold either a high school diploma or GED. They must also pass a criminal background check, including being checked and cleared by the Department of Social Services and the FBI.

RCFE Administrator Training

Once it is established that qualifications are met, training to become an RCFE Administrator can begin. The training is 80 hours and is offered through different organizations approved by the regulatory department known as the Community Care and Licensing Division. The course provides you with information on a variety of topics and prepares you for the Administrator Exam which is required to pass in order to become an RCFE Administrator.

Topics Covered

The training provided covers additional coverage of several relevant topics. Special needs of the elderly with a general overview of the aging process and the physical limitations that come along with that are included. The importance of personal care services is reviewed while also placing emphasis on residents' rights and personal rights. Learning to recognize dementia is also covered in several formats to ensure administrators can quickly identify cases as they arise and attend to them early on.

Becoming an RCFE Administrator meets the licensing requirements in the state of California to own and operate a senior care facility. The skills you learn in the process are vital in ensuring the proper care of clients and patients. Offering services to meet the needs of the elderly ensures the care of that population will be handled appropriately to make a difficult time more manageable for everyone involved.

Step-by-Step RCFE Certification Process

A Retirement Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) career path can be challenging and rewarding, so making sure caretakers and administrators are well prepared is at the forefront of the field. Obtaining an RCFE certification involves several necessary steps to ensure an excellent quality of care for the residents.

Enroll in a Certification Program

Certified RCFE programs must meet the state requirements for training, including the number of total training hours (both online and in-person training) and the content of the training. Through the program, future administrators should complete 80 total hours of training and staff should complete 40 hours. Topics typically include direct resident care, regulations, medication self-administration assistance and dementia care. Completion of a qualified program will allow the future administrator to apply to take the state RCFE certification exam.

Complete the State Certification Exam

The state exam for training administrators is a standardized test that consists of 100 questions.  Administered by the Department of Social Services, passing this exam with a minimum of 70% is required to move on in the process. If the exam is not passed to satisfaction the first time, the student is allowed to retake the exam within a 60-day period.

Pass a Background Check

In most circumstances, a background check will be conducted before the certification is approved. Any criminal convictions typically need to be explained with a signed letter. Additionally, eligibility rules will also need to be met. An administrator needs to be at least 21-years old with a completed high school diploma, whereas staff members must be 18 years old. For facilities with beds over 15, additional college credits are needed.

Pay Fees and File for the Certificate

If testing was successful, the candidate will receive a congratulatory letter in the mail. A copy of this letter, along with the applicable fees and forms, will need to be submitted in order to complete the RCFE certification process.  The state requires a fee of $100 written to the Department of Social Services.

The field of residential care and assisted living administration is rapidly growing, and the RCFE certification is the first step toward this fulfilling career.