One of the most unique health care programs offered at San Jacinto College is the long term care administration (LTCA) program. Requiring a bachelor’s degree, the LTCA program sets a standard for administrators in training (AIT) that is rigorous, yet rewarding. In just one calendar year, students who complete the program can start a new career as a nursing home facility administrator. Classes are held on Saturdays, making the program accessible for the full-time working professional.
“A lot of our students are in their second or third career transition,” said Barry Goldstein, program instructor. “About 50 percent of our students have master’s degrees, so the education level has increased over the years.”
“Most students are new to the field, so their internships give them the best overview,” said Steve Corley, program instructor. “We tell students that it’s not so much a job as it is a lifestyle; you have to learn to integrate your work and personal lives.” Both Goldstein and Corley serve as head administrators at nursing home facilities, and have been team teaching the program over the last 15 years. Goldstein also serves as an academic preceptor, another advantage to the College’s program, which saves students from having to find a facility with a registered preceptor required to complete their internship hours.
The internships are another unique facet to the program. After a self-assessment test, students have an individual internship plan developed based on their current experience and the areas they need more exposure to. “If a student has a background in accounting, they won’t need to spend as much time in the business office as they would in the nursing department. We tailor their internship to their personal needs so they get the best overall training,” said Corley.
Students Angel Tate-Moore and Angelique Adams both have backgrounds in health care, and want to impact the lives of facility residents and their families once they become administrators.
“The networking is so important,” said Adams, who has a master’s degree in health care management and is a registered dental hygienist. “You’re in classes with people who are in different fields and facilities, and industry professionals come talk to us. You’re meeting your future colleagues, and beginning your network.”
“The diversity of our class is amazing,” said Tate-Moore, who has master’s degrees in social work and health care administration. “Having high-end professionals in our class is just as influential as the master’s programs I’ve completed. I think the family component is missing out of many skilled nursing facilities. Focus is always on the patient, but we’ve left out the family. These facilities can literally become someone’s home, so we need to find a way to create and encourage a family atmosphere.”
“Studies show that the age of nursing home residents is getting younger,” added Adams. “We’re not just dealing with geriatric patients. People are having strokes younger or disabling accidents resulting in constant care. I want to create transformational servant leaders so that residents don’t feel like they’re displaced or just a number. Creating a homelike environment while providing superior healthcare and maintaining your budget is key.”
Upon program completion, students receive an advanced technical certificate. The LTCA program prepares students to take the required state and national licensing exams offered through the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) on behalf of the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, long term care administrators in Texas earn an average of $96,620 annually.
For more information on the LTCA program, visit sanjac.edu/career/long-term-care-administration.
Andrea Vasquez