How to get into the field

Hi all. I'm currently trying to get my administrator's license in GA. I am trying to find out information about administrator in training programs.
I contacted LCA but they have nothing in the area. I can not find any further information about an AIT program anywhere in the state. Should I just randomly call places and ask if they offer a program? Are most programs unpaid? I have a family to support, so an unpaid intership would probably not work for me. In that case are there any other options to obtain a license?

Hi Bradley,

Not to sound discouraging but there are not that many AIT positions available. Those that are available then to go people who are in degree programs in long term care where a local college places their students with the facility. Competition is fierce for positions. I have been trying to find an AIT for 3+ months with little luck. I am willing to go just about anywhere. I am completing a Master's degree in long term care and have 3 year experience in long term care as a nurse. Only the large nursing home corporations have the ability to pay salaries during training. One out of 15 applicants is choosen. Other facilities that nonprofits generally do not have salaries budgeted in for AIT positions.
One of the students in my Master's program who was from Georgia got a position (paid salary of $50,000) with a large nursing home corporation that operates facilities in Georgia. The way that corporation works is they budget for a position. There are relatively few. Also, the administrator at a facility who is to be the perceptor must be approved by the state. You must also be approved to do an AIT by most states prior to undertaking an AIT.

Hello,

I am currently 25 and I too am trying to break into the field. I have not completed my degree, but I have received information from my state that sent me a packet and in it is a list of certified preceptors in my state. That may be a good place to start...

bradley said: Hi all. I'm currently trying to get my administrator's license in GA. I am trying to find out information about administrator in training programs.
I contacted LCA but they have nothing in the area. I can not find any further information about an AIT program anywhere in the state. Should I just randomly call places and ask if they offer a program? Are most programs unpaid? I have a family to support, so an unpaid intership would probably not work for me. In that case are there any other options to obtain a license?

Bradley you can try UHS-Pruit or Ethica Health Care both major companies in Georgia. I am an assistant administrator in Macon. Pruitt has na AIT program in its Athens facility and Ethica has a couple. Mike

Thanks, I appreciate all the input. I'm located pretty much the same distance between alt and athens so the information helps greatly.

HI
Im seeking an AIT program in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. My preference is within a hospital setting. Im open to any suggestions. Thank you and have great day!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Nikeba and I am attempting to find a AIT program in Virginia. I have my Master's in Health Services Administration so according to the Department of Health Professions I will need to complete at least 320 hours (i.e. although this is subject to change). I have mailed out letters to several administrators to attempt to seek a preceptor. However, I have not had any luck...I am willing to take a paid or unpaid position if it helps towards my goal.

I have 14 years of experience as physical therapist assistant and as a rehab manager in long-term care. I recently got my license as a Nursing Home Administrator in Florida. I have applied to several positions, but I always get the same response,"we need an experienced administrator". I have experienced the good,the bad, and the ugly of nursing homes as a clinician and as a manager. I consider myself to have a pretty good knowledge of the inner workings of a nursing home than many "experienced" administrators that I have met through the years. So my question is, how can I get experience if I can't even get a job?. Is my experience as a clinician and manager working against my chances to get a job?

Thank you all for posting your questions/comments which allowed me to see that I am not the only one with a goal of being an administrator in LTC that is having the most difficulty in obtaining a training position. I recently obtained my MHA and has worked for the past year as assistant administrator in Assisted Living Facilities. Any advice on what path I follow would be greatly appreciated. I have noticed the course by Dr. Allen for AIT but afraid to take this course since after completion I believe I would hear what Ivan is going thru, the need for "experienced" administrators.

I am an assistant administrator in GA. I am a LNHA and have worked in long term care for 10 years as a CNA and HR manager. It wasn't easy finding this position but once I got the interview i made sure i got the job. My boss says that she liked that I was already licensed so she wouldn't have to help me pass the test. I am from Florida but found that FL has one two many hoops for u to jump through to get your license. I havr a MBA with a specialization in health care admin. Took a job in St. Pete as HR because they promised me the AIT but never started me in the program. I researched GA and found that I had all of their requirements for licensure except the exam. So I applied for GA's license and exam(national). Florida will reciprocate GA's license after 6 months experience. There are headhunters that will help you. FYI UHS Pruitt has an assistant administrator position open right now, in Atlanta of course.

Thanks for the comment. I actually sent my resume to UHS last week for the AIT program. I haven't heard anything back as of yet, but I am planning on following up with them next week. Does anyone how they are about follow up calls at UHS. Also is it typical to not hear anything back for while after applying for an AIT program at UHS. It has been my experience that you either hear back quickly if a company is at all interested or not at all if they or not.

Hello all. I like most of you, I was searching for an AIT program and I have been a Registered Nurse for 12 years, and I just graduated with my MHA. I was fortunate enough to apply to an organization that advertised their AIT program. It did not happen over night though. But I am 3 weeks into the AIT program. If you go to websites for long term care or acute rehabiliation facilities such as Life Care Centers of America, Kindred, Marquis, etc. They post their AIT positions on their websites. Good luck in your search.

I am also looking for a place to do an AIT internship. I live in Indiana and would like to stay in the area ,however, I have opened my search up so that I don't miss any opportunities. I have been working in health care for the past 6 years in many different capacities. I am not going to give up the fight in obtaining my goal of becoming Long term care administrator. I love working in this field and fill that I have alot to offer. I am currently a Social Service Director for Golden Living Centers in Mishawaka. Please give an advice and help that you can. I am currently enrolled in HOPE a class that helps enhance any skills and teach how to become a successful adminsitrator. Good Luck to all and one day we'll all look back and be able to help someone else in there journey to be an administrator.

William JM Diggins III in South Bend, Indiana said: I am also looking for a place to do an AIT internship. I live in Indiana and would like to stay in the area ,however, I have opened my search up so that I don't miss any opportunities. I have been working in health care for the past 6 years in many different capacities. I am not going to give up the fight in obtaining my goal of becoming Long term care administrator. I love working in this field and fill that I have alot to offer. I am currently a Social Service Director for Golden Living Centers in Mishawaka. Please give an advice and help that you can. I am currently enrolled in HOPE a class that helps enhance any skills and teach how to become a successful adminsitrator. Good Luck to all and one day we'll all look back and be able to help someone else in there journey to be an administrator.

iwonder if they have classes like that in florida.

Help, anyone I am looking for ait program in delaware, pennsylvania, or maryland I am a nurse and have been for 5 years in ltc also have bs in business

bradley said: Hi all. I'm currently trying to get my administrator's license in GA. I am trying to find out information about administrator in training programs.
I contacted LCA but they have nothing in the area. I can not find any further information about an AIT program anywhere in the state. Should I just randomly call places and ask if they offer a program? Are most programs unpaid? I have a family to support, so an unpaid intership would probably not work for me. In that case are there any other options to obtain a license?

Brad, Hi I am currently working in the state of kansas tring to figure out how to take a class I getting ready to graduate with my BS in Accounting but have the option to be an adminstrator if I take the exam. How will I learn what I need to know? By the way the need for AIT's are really high in the state of Kansas.
Thanks
Barb!

Barbara Finney in Coffeyville, Kansas said: Brad, Hi I am currently working in the state of kansas tring to figure out how to take a class I getting ready to graduate with my BS in Accounting but have the option to be an adminstrator if I take the exam. How will I learn what I need to know? By the way the need for AIT's are really high in the state of Kansas.
Thanks
Barb!

Contact Janet Brandes at WSU. You will need a class or two in long term care. You will also need to do a 480 AIT with a nursing home administrator. She will help find one willing to take you under his/her wing. You will have to be patient because very few of them are willing to train some one. It will take time to learn all you need to know about LTC it is a complex industry. Having a license is nothing without experience. You have to be willing no money for a while as you get experience. After that you will be raking in the dough.

Barbara Finney in Coffeyville, Kansas said: Brad, Hi I am currently working in the state of kansas tring to figure out how to take a class I getting ready to graduate with my BS in Accounting but have the option to be an adminstrator if I take the exam. How will I learn what I need to know? By the way the need for AIT's are really high in the state of Kansas.
Thanks
Barb!

Contact Janet Brandes at WSU. You will need a class or two in long term care. You will also need to do a 480 AIT with a nursing home administrator. She will help find one willing to take you under his/her wing. You will have to be patient because very few of them are willing to train some one. It will take time to learn all you need to know about LTC it is a complex industry. Having a license is nothing without experience. You have to be willing to make very little money for a while as you get experience. After that you will be raking in the dough.

Barbara Finney in Coffeyville, Kansas said: Brad, Hi I am currently working in the state of kansas tring to figure out how to take a class I getting ready to graduate with my BS in Accounting but have the option to be an adminstrator if I take the exam. How will I learn what I need to know? By the way the need for AIT's are really high in the state of Kansas.
Thanks
Barb!

Contact Janet Brandes at WSU. You will need a class or two in long term care. You will also need to do a 480 hr AIT with a nursing home administrator. She will help find one willing to take you under his/her wing. You will have to be patient because very few of them are willing to train some one. It will take time to learn all you need to know about LTC it is a complex industry. Having a license is nothing without experience. You have to be willing to make very little money for a while as you get experience. After that you will be raking in the dough.

Nikeba in Glen Allen, Virginia said: Hello Everyone!

My name is Nikeba and I am attempting to find a AIT program in Virginia. I have my Master's in Health Services Administration so according to the Department of Health Professions I will need to complete at least 320 hours till now i have been looking for a place too for my AIT program whether is paid or unpaid i am ready to accept the offer

My name is Gabriel and I am attempting to find a AIT program in Virginia. I have my Master's in Health Services Administration so according to the Department of Health Professions I will need to complete at least 320 hours till now i have been looking for a place too for my AIT program whether is paid or unpaid i am ready to accept the offer but Nikeba don't be discourage it will be well

Sheila in Las Vegas, Nevada said: Hello all. I like most of you, I was searching for an AIT program and I have been a Registered Nurse for 12 years, and I just graduated with my MHA. I was fortunate enough to apply to an organization that advertised their AIT program. It did not happen over night though. But I am 3 weeks into the AIT program. If you go to websites for long term care or acute rehabiliation facilities such as Life Care Centers of America, Kindred, Marquis, etc. They post their AIT positions on their websites. Good luck in your search.

Do you live in Las Vegas? How would I find a list of the AIT programs?
How many hours a week? are there jobs in the area for Assistant living Administrators? Ms. M. Ford

Yes, I do live in Las Vegas. Unfortunately AIT programs are not listed. You will need to apply to the company just as if you are applying for a job. It is considered an internship program. The companies that I listed will either list the openings on their website, which you can google, or you may be fortunate to find it on Monster. The AIT position is a full time job. Nevada requires 1000 hours (26 weeks) of training in various departments. Your testing includes ALF (Assisted Living Administrators). I hope this helps. www.nabweb.org/NABWEB/common/StateBoardSearch.aspx?id=678 if you go to the link I provided maybe they will be of some assistance. Good luck.

I have recently graduated with my BS in Health Service Administration and have 4 years experience in a skilled nursing home as a Hospitality Director. I am having problems locating a paid AIT position as do most it seems. I know each state requires different requirements. I would be willing to relocate if it requires me to. Any information would be helpful.

Thanks,

Mike