What is a Personal Care Home Administrator?

Personal care home administrators (PCHAs) oversee the day-to-day operations of personal care homes. These care home facilities provide a variety of services to people who require assistance with daily living activities due to illness, disability or old age.

Prior to initial employment as personal care home administrator, candidates must successfully complete a 100-hour training course. Current administrators must complete at least 24 hours of training each year. All direct-care staff must complete 12 hours of training annually. In addition, individuals providing elder care for family members may find some courses to be of value and are welcome to attend.

Program Overview

The 100-hour personal care home administrator training program is for current and aspiring personal care administrators, nurses, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who wish to fulfill continuing education requirements.

The program consists of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services standardized and approved curriculum. Courses meet via Zoom and vary in length from two to nine hours. You will need to log in to Zoom using a computer with both video and audio capability. Your camera must remain on at all times, and you must remain visible on screen to meet attendance requirements.

Driving or performing other job duties while attending this training is not permitted. Attendance will be verified through Zoom registration and participation records.

All individuals who completed the 100-hour standardized department-approved administrator training course after January 31, 2009, must successfully complete the orientation program for new administrators and a competency test with a passing score in accordance with 55 Pa.Code ยง 2600.64(a)(3) relating to administrator training and orientation.

Penn State is an approved provider through the Department of Public Welfare under the Personal Care Homes Licensing Regulations as of April 23, 2005, published in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 (35 Pa.B.2499).

For additional information, contact Jo Ann Durdan at 570-963-2600 or [email protected], or complete the request information form.

Requirements

To qualify for this program you must have one of the following:

  • An associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university
  • A license as a registered nurse from the Pennsylvania Department of State
  • A license as a nursing home administrator from the Pennsylvania Department of State
  • A license as a licensed practical nurse from the Pennsylvania Department of State and one year experience in a related field
  • A general education development diploma or high school diploma and two years direct care or administrative experience in the human services field (for a home serving eight or fewer residents)

You must also attend a one-day Pennsylvania Department of Human Services orientation in addition to the personal care home administrator course. There is no fee for the orientation.

This is a free, mandatory, 6-hour program that must be completed before, during, or after the 100-hour training and exam in order to operate as a personal care home administrator. Registration is required and fills up quickly.

Visit the PA Department of Human Services homepage and search for the Personal Care Home Administrator Orientation Schedule which shows the various locations of the training across the state.

Schedule and Registration Information

Visit the Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) Training web page on the Penn State's Continuing Education and Workforce Development website for up-to-date registration information.

PCHA Courses
The 100-hr. training courses can be taken individually. Please contact Jo Ann Durdan at 570-963-2509 or email [email protected] to request to register for individual courses:

  • Personal Care Services and Hygiene (0.9 CEU)
  • Certification in CPR (0.7 CEU)
  • American Heart Association Individuals with a valid certification in Adult CPR and First Aid are exempt from this course. Proof of certification is required.
  • Nutrition, Food Handling, and Sanitation (0.7 CEU)
  • Care for Residents with Dementia (0.8 CEU)
  • Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Reporting (0.6 CEU)
  • Cultural Competency (0.3 CEU)
  • Gerontology (0.6 CEU)
  • Writing Assessments (0.5 CEU)
  • Care for Residents with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (0.2 CEU)
  • Care for Residents with Mental Illness (0.9 CEU)
  • Medication Procedures (0.7 CEU)
  • Fire Prevention (0.4 CEU)
  • Recreation (0.4 CEU)
  • Budgeting and Financial Recordkeeping (0.4 CEU)
  • Community Resources (0.4 CEU)
  • Staff Supervision (0.8 CEU)

Attendance Policy: Attendance in each class is required. If a class is missed, it must be made up with another provider or taken the next time it is offered.

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds for classes missed, but you are welcome to take the missed classes with us the next time offered at no additional cost. Once all 100 hours have been attended, you are eligible to take the PCHA Exam.

PCHA Exam
The PCHA exam will be offered in person on campus or via Zoom. Check out at Penn State Campus near you.

Licensed Nursing Home Administrators who wish to become licensed as a Personal Care Home Administrator must complete the orientation and exam. 

Professional Licensure and Certification Compliance

Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map. 

Note: The University reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances.