Who is the individual responsible for operating a nursing home and is licensed by the state?

The individual responsible for operating a nursing home and who is licensed by the state is referred to as a Nursing Home Administrator (NHA). This role is crucial as NHAs oversee the daily operations of a nursing facility, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, managing staff, and maintaining the quality of care provided to residents. They must meet specific education and licensing requirements defined by state regulations, which often include completing a degree in health administration or a related field, passing a national examination, and fulfilling any additional state-specific criteria.

Understanding this role is vital in the context of nursing homes because the NHA is ultimately accountable for the facility's overall performance and the well-being of its residents. The title and responsibilities of an NHA are standardized, which distinguishes it from other positions in healthcare facility management, such as those of a Nursing Home Executive, Nursing Facility Manager, or Healthcare Facility Director, which may have varying degrees of authority and responsibilities that do not necessarily include direct licensing by the state to operate a nursing home.