17 Long Term Care Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

A long term care administrator is responsible for the overall management of a long term care facility. This can include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. As a long term care administrator, you will be responsible for hiring and training staff, developing policies and procedures, and ensuring that the facility is in compliance with all state and federal regulations.

Before you can start your new job, you will need to go through a job interview. This is your chance to show the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. To help you prepare, we have put together a list of the most common long term care administrator interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the long term care industry?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the long term care industry and how it works. You can use this question as a way to share any experience you have working in the long term care field, or if you are new to the industry, you can explain what drew you to this type of work.

Example: “I am very familiar with the long term care industry because I worked in this field for five years before moving to my current position. In my previous role, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the facility’s operations, including hiring and training staff, managing budgets and ensuring residents were receiving quality care.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a long term care administrator?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in an administrator. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important qualities and how you possess them.

Example: “The two most important qualities I think are necessary for a long term care administrator are empathy and organization. As an administrator, I would need to understand what my residents’ needs are and make sure that their wishes are met. In order to do this, I would need to have empathy for each resident’s situation. Organization is also important because it helps me keep track of all the tasks I need to complete as an administrator.”

How would you deal with a resident or family member who is dissatisfied with the care they are receiving?

Long-term care administrators are often responsible for handling complaints from residents and their families. An interviewer may ask this question to learn how you would respond to a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm under pressure while also resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

Example: “I have worked in long-term care for many years, so I’ve seen my fair share of resident and family disputes. When someone is unhappy with the care they or their loved one is receiving, I always make sure to listen to them carefully before responding. I find that it’s important to understand what exactly caused the problem. Once I know all the facts, I work with other staff members to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

What is your experience with long term care financial management?

Long term care administrators are responsible for managing the financial aspects of their facilities. Employers ask this question to learn about your experience with accounting and budgeting in a healthcare setting. Use your answer to explain any previous experience you have with financial management, including how you handled budgets and expenses.

Example: “I’ve worked as an accountant for over ten years now. I started out working at a small business where I was responsible for all of the company’s finances. As my career progressed, I moved up into more senior roles within the finance department. Eventually, I became the chief financial officer for my last employer, where I oversaw all of the company’s financial operations. This included creating annual budgets, monitoring spending and ensuring we were meeting our goals.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding a resident’s care.

Long-term care administrators often have to make difficult decisions regarding the care of residents. This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example that highlights your critical thinking skills and how they helped you reach a decision.

Example: “When I was working as an administrator at a nursing home, we had a resident who required constant medical attention. The resident’s family wanted us to keep them in our facility for as long as possible, but their needs were too much for us to handle. We decided to transfer the resident to a hospital where they could receive more intensive care. It was a difficult decision, but ultimately one that benefited the resident.”

If you had to choose one area of long term care to focus on, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your priorities and values. It also helps them understand what you would focus on if you were hired as an administrator. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you are passionate about or have experience with.

Example: “I believe that communication is one of the most important aspects of being an administrator in any field. In my last role, I worked hard to make sure all staff members knew how to get in touch with me when they needed help. I also made sure that residents had multiple ways to reach out to us, including through email, phone calls and even social media.”

What would you do if you noticed a caregiver abusing a resident?

Long-term care administrators are responsible for ensuring the safety of their residents. An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle difficult situations and make tough decisions. In your answer, describe a situation in which you noticed abuse or neglect and how you handled it.

Example: “If I ever saw a caregiver mistreating a resident, I would immediately report them to human resources. Then, I would ensure that the resident was safe and comfortable. Next, I would conduct an investigation into the incident with the help of my team. If we found evidence of abuse, I would terminate the employee’s contract.”

How well do you handle stress?

Long term care administrators often have to make important decisions under pressure. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle stress well and still perform your job effectively. In your answer, share a time when you had to make an important decision quickly. Explain how you handled the situation and what steps you took to ensure you made the best choice possible.

Example: “I find that I do my best work when I am calm and collected. When I’m stressed out or anxious, it’s harder for me to think clearly. To help myself stay calm in stressful situations, I take deep breaths and try to focus on one task at a time. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed by all of the things I need to accomplish.”

Do you have any experience working with government agencies?

Long term care facilities often work with government agencies to ensure they’re meeting the needs of their residents. An employer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a regulated industry and how you handled those situations. In your answer, share any experiences you’ve had working with government agencies and highlight what skills helped you succeed in that role.

Example: “I worked for a long-term care facility for five years before moving to another facility where I was responsible for managing the budget. During my time at the first facility, we were audited by the state several times. Each time, I prepared for the audit by making sure all of our documentation was organized and up to date. The auditor never found anything wrong, and I think it’s because of my attention to detail and organization skills.”

When was the last time you updated your long term care knowledge?

This question can help the interviewer determine how committed you are to your career and whether you’re willing to invest in yourself. Your answer should show that you have a passion for learning new things, especially about long term care. You can mention any relevant courses or certifications you’ve earned recently.

Example: “I took an online course on dementia last year because I wanted to learn more about it. It was interesting to see what causes it and how we can treat it. I also signed up for a certification program through the American Association of Long Term Care Administrators. I’m hoping to complete it by next year.”

We want to improve our communication with residents and families. How would you do this?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would improve a current process and what your priorities are. Use examples from your experience to show that you know how to prioritize tasks and implement changes in an organization.

Example: “I think it’s important to have open communication with residents, families and staff members. In my last role as a long-term care administrator, I noticed we were having issues with our communication methods. We had multiple ways of communicating with each other, but they weren’t always effective. So, I started a monthly newsletter where I shared information about new programs, upcoming events and resident news. This helped us communicate more effectively and build relationships.”

Describe your long term care facility management philosophy.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your management style and how you would approach a situation in their facility. Use examples from your experience that highlight your skills, such as communication, problem-solving or delegation.

Example: “I believe it’s important for long term care administrators to be accessible to staff members and residents alike. I make sure to have regular meetings with my team so they know what’s expected of them and can ask questions about their roles. I also hold monthly town hall meetings where I answer any resident questions and address concerns. This helps me build relationships with both employees and residents.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about long term care. When you answer, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills. You can also share a story of how you helped improve an organization or solve a problem.

Example: “I am the best candidate for this position because I have extensive knowledge of the industry. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in both residential and nursing home settings. In my last job, I managed a team of 10 employees while overseeing all aspects of operations. My passion for helping others makes me excited to work with residents and their families.”

Which long term care certifications do you have?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary certifications for the role. If they don’t require a specific certification, they may want to know that you are committed to continuing your education and professional development. When preparing for an interview, research which certifications the employer requires or prefers. Make sure you can list at least one certification in your answer.

Example: “I am currently certified as a Certified Nursing Assistant through the American Association of Long Term Care Administrators. I plan on taking my next exam soon to become a Certified Long Term Care Administrator. I also completed a course on long term care management last year.”

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing long term care administrators today?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the role of a long term care administrator. It also helps them determine whether you have the skills and experience to overcome challenges in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to identify a specific challenge that you’ve faced as an administrator and how you overcame it.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing long term care administrators today is finding qualified staff members. In my last position, we were short-staffed for several months due to some employees leaving and others taking time off. I was able to find temporary replacements by reaching out to other facilities in our area. We also hired more permanent staff members after advertising open positions.”

How often do you visit each resident?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much time you spend with each resident. It also helps them understand your level of involvement in their care and overall quality of life. Your answer should include a specific number, but it’s important to note that this is not an indication of the amount of time you actually spend with residents.

Example: “I visit each resident at least once per day. I find that spending more time with them allows me to get to know them better and learn about their preferences. This knowledge helps me make decisions that are best for each individual.”

There is a flu outbreak among the residents. What steps do you take to contain the situation?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions. Your answer should include a step-by-step process of how you would handle the situation, including what resources you would use to contain the outbreak.

Example: “First, I would quarantine all residents who have symptoms of the flu. Then, I would contact the local health department to report the outbreak and request assistance with containing it. After that, I would work with my staff to ensure they are following proper procedures for disinfecting surfaces and equipment. Finally, I would monitor the situation until the outbreak subsides.”