The healthcare profession that I chose to base this essay on is the profession that I am currently training for, which is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNHA).
The required training for this position is a mix of hands-on experience with certain qualifying course work. I am training to be licensed in the state of New York, however each state has its’ own criteria to attain a license.
In order to become licensed in NYS the hands-on experience may be fulfilled one of three ways:
1. 12 month Board-Approved Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
2. 24 months of qualifying field experience as determined by the Board
3. 24 months of service as Administrator-of-Record (AOR) in an out-of state facility (healthy.ny.gov, April, 2011)
Within each level there are standards that may be met which almost seem to bypass some of the qualifications as described for any of the above-listed choices. For example, qualifying field experience can be counted towards some of the time needed to be spent during the training process. As long as the job description, as well as the salary is commensurate with being in a position above Department head but below the AOR this work – experience will be counted towards fulfilling the qualifications. There are other ways to supplement and cut down on the actual time put in to qualify for the license. Work experience (three or more years [healthy.ny.gov, April, 2011]) as a Director of Nursing (DON) at a qualifying health care facility or at least five years as a Department head at a qualifying health care facility.
Education credits may also be counted as long as the applicant has either a BA in Health Facility Administration or a MA from a school listed as an accredited body.
The state of New York requires the applicant to complete five courses: o Nursing Home Administration o Health Care Financial Management o Legal Issues in