Indiana Administrative Code Title 840 - INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH FACILITY ADMINISTRATORS
Indiana Administrative Code – Title 840
Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators (HFA)
Title 840 creates and governs the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators (HFA Board). This Board is responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing administrators of health facilities, such as nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and related institutions.
The goal is to ensure that these facilities are managed by qualified professionals who uphold high standards of healthcare, safety, and ethical administration.
1. Purpose and Authority
To license qualified administrators of health facilities.
To establish professional standards for facility administration.
To protect residents and the public by ensuring facilities are properly managed.
To investigate and discipline administrators who violate professional rules.
2. Structure of the Board
The Board consists of appointed members, including:
Licensed health facility administrators.
Representatives from healthcare professions.
Public members.
Responsibilities include:
Reviewing license applications.
Creating rules and policies for practice.
Conducting examinations.
Holding hearings on complaints or violations.
Issuing or revoking licenses.
3. Licensing Requirements
To become a licensed Health Facility Administrator (HFA), applicants must:
Apply to the Board with personal and professional details.
Meet eligibility criteria, often including:
Age & good moral character.
Education requirements (typically completion of an HFA preparation program).
Administrator-in-Training (AIT) experience, with supervised practical hours in facility management.
Pass an examination, testing knowledge in:
Healthcare facility management.
Federal and state care standards.
Personnel supervision and leadership.
Resident care policies.
Ethical and legal responsibilities.
4. Examinations
Conducted under Board supervision.
Includes written and possibly oral or scenario-based components.
Tests cover areas like:
Resident rights and protections.
Long-term care administration.
Financial management of facilities.
Human resources and staffing.
Infection control and safety compliance.
5. License Renewal & Continuing Education
Licenses are valid for a set period (often 2 years).
Renewal requires:
Payment of renewal fees.
Proof of continuing education (CEU) hours in approved areas such as healthcare law, ethics, facility operations, and resident care.
Failure to renew or complete education can result in suspension.
6. Standards of Professional Conduct
Licensed HFAs must follow Board-established ethical and professional standards, including:
Acting in the best interests of residents.
Ensuring safe and sanitary facility conditions.
Honest and transparent management of funds.
Fair treatment of employees and residents.
Compliance with all applicable facility regulations.
7. Disciplinary Authority
The Board can discipline HFAs who violate standards. Possible actions:
Revocation or suspension of license.
Probation with monitoring.
Fines or penalties.
Mandated retraining or continuing education.
Grounds for discipline include:
Fraud in obtaining a license.
Gross negligence in facility operation.
Abuse or neglect of residents under their supervision.
Financial mismanagement or misuse of facility funds.
Violation of Board rules.
8. Complaint & Hearing Process
Complaints may be filed by residents, families, employees, or inspectors.
The Board investigates and may hold an administrative hearing.
The accused administrator has the right to:
Notice of charges.
A fair hearing.
Present evidence or witnesses.
Final rulings are issued by the Board and are binding unless appealed.
9. Temporary & Provisional Licensing
The Board may issue temporary permits to individuals in training or transition, allowing them to act as administrators under supervision until fully licensed.
10. Public Protection & Transparency
Title 840 emphasizes that the Board exists to protect residents of health facilities.
It promotes qualified leadership in healthcare institutions.
Licensing and disciplinary records are generally matters of public record for transparency.
In Summary
Indiana Administrative Code – Title 840 establishes the Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators, which ensures that nursing homes and healthcare facilities are managed by competent, ethical, and licensed administrators.
The Board:
Licenses and certifies HFAs.
Oversees examinations and training.
Requires ongoing education.
Enforces professional and ethical standards.
Investigates complaints and disciplines violators.
This system protects residents, families, employees, and the public by maintaining high-quality facility administration.
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