Guardian Admins has developed the 120-hour Administrator-In-Training (AIT) Program to meet the educational needs of students desiring to become certified/approved administrators of adult care homes(ACH) and/or family care homes(FCH). The Guardian Admins AIT program has been approved by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulations (DHSR) as an Administrator-In-Training program provider and meets the requirements for NCGS Chapter 90 Article 20.

The purpose of the AIT Program is to enhance the professional development of the AIT in the field of ACH/FCH administration. The program is designed to equip the AIT student with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully pass the North Carolina Administrator Exam administered by the NC Division of Health Services Regulation Testing Unit and become a Certified/Approved ACH/FCH Administrator. A significant portion of the AIT program involves observing and participating in activities associated with practicing administration and providing resident care.

Please note the Guardian Admins AIT program DOES NOT require any out of class work or assignments to be completed by the AIT program participants.

AIT Program Manual

Guardian Admins has also developed an AIT program manual to serve as a guide for participants preparing to become certified/approved Administrators of adult care homes (ACH)/ family care homes (FCH). Every AIT program participant will receive a program manual upon paid registration in the AIT course. The program manual presented to the AIT program participants has been created to cover some of the most pertinent areas involved in practicing administration and managing an ACH/FCH. The program manual also serves as a valuable source of information in preparation for the NC Administrator Exam. The program manual can also be used as a daily reference to assist in the day to day practice of administration and management of an ACH/FCH.

Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program

The Guardian Admins AIT Program consists of two phases of learning.

Phase I: In-Class Learning

Consists of 20 hours of in-class learning and interaction between the AIT program participants and the Guardian Admins AIT program provider. During the interactive class, learning material is presented to the program participants which will provide an overview of the state required AIT program components. Phase I of the AIT program will be covered over the course of 2 days. The typical schedule is two 10-hour days of teaching to cover the required topics. Course sessions generally begin promptly at 9 am and end at 7 pm (approximately) depending on the flow of class.

During this time, the facilitator will cover the following required topics.

1. Overview of North Carolina Assisted Living Rules and Statutes 

2. Resident Care Management 

3. Medication Management 

4. Business and Financial Management 

5. Human Resources 

6. Resident Rights 

7. Admission/Discharge Processes 

8. Physical Environment Management 

9. Organizational Management 

10. Food Service 

11. Activity Planning 

Phase II: Preceptorship

Satisfactory completion of an Administrator-In-Training (AIT) program includes a state-required supervised preceptorship during which the AIT program participant works under the guidance and supervision of an approved preceptor. An approved preceptor is someone who meets the qualifications established for preceptors by the state of North Carolina. Preceptors can be difficult to find depending on individual circumstances. However, should you secure a potential preceptor who has never precepted before, the intended preceptor can be approved by Guardian Admins as the AIT program provider following the NC DHSR preceptor qualification requirements.

Preceptor Qualification Requirements Include:

1. Currently active certified/approved ACH/FCH administrator standing with NC DHSR. A copy of the intended preceptors certificate/approval letter will be required prior to being approved as a preceptor for the the AIT program participant.

2. Minimum of 2 years experience as either an ACH or FCH Administrator.

3. Resume of the intended preceptor showing administrator work history/experience.

4. Star Rating Requirement: A minimum of 3 Stars is required for the intended preceptorship location. A copy of the current star rating will be required.

5. Regular participation in the required AIT preceptorship meetings using the appropriate AIT meeting forms required by the NC DHSR section.

The preceptorship is a unique phase of education consisting of supervised practice in the ACH/FCH environment. Preceptorship consists of the state required 100 hours of on-the-job training under an approved preceptor in a free-standing adult care home (ACH) or family care home (FCH). The preceptorship is designed to provide the AIT program participants with on-the-job training/contact hours in the areas of:

1. Personnel (Orientation, Staff Qualifications/Requirements)

2. Business Office/Administration (Admissions, Resident Funds, Billing, Marketing)

3. Resident Care/Personal Care (assistance with ADL’s)

4. Medication Aide Duties (administering, ordering/receiving, & supervising medication passes)

5. Activities (scheduling, organizing, facilitating)

6. Dietary (food ordering, cooking, inventory)

7. Environmental/Housekeeping (cleaning, laundry services, etc.)

8. Maintenance (water temps, sprinkler, generator, AC/Heating)

9. Other (community events, facility visits, educational trainings)

Evaluation of Preceptorship

Evaluating the progress of the AIT program participant is required during preceptorship. Once the AIT program participant has reached Phase II of the program, consisting of 100 hours of preceptorship under an approved preceptor in a free-standing adult care home (ACH) or family care home (FCH), there will be additional required meetings to evaluate the AIT during the preceptorship experience.

The AIT program participant must gain approval from both Guardian Admins and their intended preceptor to successfully begin phase II of the AIT program. The AIT program participant must remain in compliance with all Guardian Admins, preceptor and state requirements throughout the preceptorship including but not limited to required meetings, preceptorship conduct and successful evaluations in order to receive their certificate of program completion from Guardian Admins.

Procuring a Preceptor

***It is the responsibility of the AIT student to secure their own preceptor for this portion of the program. Guardian Admins DOES NOT participate in the procurement of a preceptor. ***

*** However, Guardian Admins is currently offering “reserved preceptorships” for our AIT program participants. Preceptorships are ONLY offered based on availability and requires a professional service agreement with the principle preceptor. Be sure to check with the AIT program director to ensure schedule availability for preceptorship and to complete your reservation. If the program director doesn’t have availability for preceptorship, then you MUST secure a separate preceptor for phase II of the AIT program. Registration in the Guardian Admins AIT course DOES NOT secure or reserve your preceptorship.

In general, preceptorship is scheduled on a month to month basis and is available on a first-come first-serve basis. Availability goes fast. Be sure to reserve your preceptorship as soon as possible.

***SPECIAL NOTE***

It is the intention of Guardian Admins to meet each of our students at their individual needs. Reserving a month of preceptorship secures a month of detailed in-person learning for you individually. Your reservation also takes away a preceptorship opportunity from someone else. If you reserve your month of preceptorship you MUST remain intentional and committed to completing the preceptorship with your Guardian Admins preceptor.

TUITION Cost

The total cost for both the ACH or FCH course is $950. This amount is non-refundable and must be paid in advance in order to be enrolled in the course. Additionally, full payment is required in order to receive your AIT program manual that will be used in teaching the course.

Upon successful completion of payment and registration, the paid participants will receive their program manuals via email. As previously mentioned, the program manual is a valuable resource and guide that could be used while practicing administration.

Acceptable forms of payment include:

1. Online payments via Credit/Debit card

   An invoice will be provided for your records once payment is received.

For added flexibility, Guardian Admins does offer payment plans toward the AIT program tuition costs. Those interested in achieving administrator certification by attending the Guardian Admins AIT program have the option to pay toward the tuition cost in no more than 4 equal payments of $237.50. Once a payment plan has been initiated, the payment plan will continue until the full tuition costs have been paid. NO REFUNDS will be issued on tuition payment plan deposits. The full tuition cost of $950.00 must be paid in order to receive your program manual and be allowed to participate in the AIT program. A receipt will be provided for each tuition deposit made to keep for your records.

***SPECIAL NOTE***

Prior to enrolling in the Guardian Admins AIT program, please visit the DHSR website to review the state’s requirements including, educational and background check requirements. Please know that it is your responsibility to ensure your own compliance with these requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, and therefore cannot be certified/approved by the state of North Carolina, there will be NO REFUND of tuition fees paid to Guardian Admins.

Guardian Admins has the hope and desire to see every one of our AIT program participants progress by sitting for and passing the NC administrator exam, administered by NCDHSR, and receive administrator certification/approval.

Please do your due diligence and research your intended path prior to enrollment.