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2530 RTP Meridian Parkway Durham, NC 27713
Get the Experience You Need to Succeed in Operating a Family Care Home.

Preceptor – Barbara A. Copeland, MDiv., FCH Administrator, Activities Director

Barbara has been a licensed family care home provider/administrator for 15 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience owning and operating a family care home facility. Her primary healthcare skillset reflects working with persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and persons with mental illness, providing trusted family home care service in Durham, NC. She also serves as a preceptor for the AIT program, which plays a key role in care home training in Durham, NC, by preparing future administrators through structured, hands-on instruction.

The AIT program is a mandatory program required by all who seek to own and operate a licensed family care home or other residential care homes in the state of North Carolina. The AIT program requires the trainee to undergo 100 hours of on-the-job training with a preceptor. Additionally, the trainee will also have two days of classroom training with a state-approved AIT program. After the two-day classroom training, the trainee will map out 100 hours of OJT (on-the-job training) and self-study portions of the program. The preceptor will work with the trainee, covering several areas of focus that are essential for anyone planning an adult care home startup business, residential care home startup, or assisted living facility startup.

These areas of focus include:

  • PERSONNEL (Orientation, Staff Qualifications, and Staff Requirements)
  • BUSINESS OFFICE ADMINISTRATION (Admissions, Discharges, Resident Funds, Billing, and Marketing)
  • RESIDENT CARE/ PERSONAL CARE (Assistance with Activities of Daily Living – ADLs)
  • MEDICATION AIDE DUTIES (Administering, ordering, receiving, and supervising medication passes in adult care homes and assisted living facilities)
  • ACTIVITIES (Scheduling, organizing, and facilitating activities for the aged in senior living care homes)
  • DIETARY (Food ordering, handling, cooking, and inventory of food, including therapeutic diets for patients)
  • ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSEKEEPING (Cleaning and laundry services within the facility)
  • MAINTENANCE (Special emphasis on water temperatures, sprinkler systems, generators, and heating and air conditioning of the facility)
  • OTHER (Community events, facility visits, and educational training relevant to opening a family care home)

These are the areas of focus on which the preceptor and trainee will concentrate for the AIT 120-hour program. Time spent in each area will differ for each trainee based on their previous work experience and skill set.

The AIT 120-hour program will also include three meetings with the AIT preceptor, the trainee, and the AIT program provider. These meetings are established as the 9initial, midpoint, and final meetings.

  • INITIAL MEETING (The goal of the initial meeting is to establish what the OJT plan will entail, which is to briefly familiarize the trainee with the areas of focus.)
  • MIDPOINT MEETING (The goal of the midpoint meeting is to review the success of the first half of the program and to discuss areas of focus that may need more training. A summary of the trainee’s strengths and weaknesses is reviewed during this meeting.)
  • FINAL MEETING (The goal for the final meeting is to simply do a final summary of the total 100 OJT hours and to discuss final thoughts, views, concerns, and opinions of the trainee’s ability to move into the role of a certified family care home administrator. At the completion of the AIT program, a review of the strengths and weaknesses of the trainee is assessed, and a determination is made as to whether any additional hours of training are needed.)

At the end of the OJT, the preceptor will review and complete the required NCALA program documentation and a student evaluation. All documentation is submitted to NCALA, certifying that the 120-hour program has been completed. NCALA is the North Carolina Assisted Living Association, which holds the mandatory two-day classroom portions for trainees and for individuals interested in opening a family care home, adult care homes, residential care homes, or an assisted living facility.

FAQs
What skills are learned in an administrator training program?
Trainees develop skills in resident care, staff management, medication supervision, business operations, activity planning, dietary management, and facility maintenance.
Why is administrator training important for family care homes?
Proper training ensures administrators can safely manage residents, comply with regulations, and run the facility efficiently.
How does on-the-job training benefit future administrators?
Hands-on experience allows trainees to apply classroom knowledge, handle real-life scenarios, and gain confidence in managing a care home.
What topics are usually covered in administrator training programs?
Training typically includes personnel management, admissions and billing, resident care, medication duties, scheduling activities, dietary planning, housekeeping, and facility maintenance.
How long does it take to become a certified family care home administrator?
Certification requires completing the full program, including on-the-job training and classroom sessions, totaling approximately 120 hours.
Who can become an administrator through this program?
Individuals interested in managing or owning a licensed family care home, residential care home, or assisted living facility can participate.
What are the benefits of completing administrator training?
Graduates gain the knowledge and experience needed to run a care home safely, meet state requirements, and provide quality care for residents.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Career in Care

Reach out today to gain the knowledge, hands-on experience, and confidence you need to succeed as a licensed family care home administrator—enroll in the AIT program now!