An initiative of Pennsylvania Health Care Association
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides essential bedside care, administers medications, and supports residents’ daily health needs under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
An MDS Coordinator oversees the assessment and documentation process for residents, ensuring accurate care plans, regulatory compliance, and optimal reimbursement for long-term care facilities.
A Staff Development Coordinator plans, implements, and evaluates educational programs to ensure nursing staff are well-trained, competent, and compliant with clinical and regulatory standards.
The Director of Nursing (DON) oversees all clinical operations, ensuring high-quality resident care, regulatory compliance, and effective leadership of the nursing team within the facility.
A Registered Nurse (RN) coordinates and oversees patient care, administering treatments, managing care plans, and leading healthcare teams to ensure residents receive comprehensive, high-quality support.
A Charge Nurse supervises nursing staff, coordinates daily care activities, and ensures quality standards and resident needs are met through effective leadership and clinical oversight.
An Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) supports the Director of Nursing in managing clinical operations, supervising staff, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant resident care.
The Quality Assurance (QA) Nurse improves care procedures, ensures compliance with evolving regulations, and supports policy development, training, and quality standards across one or more facilities.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is responsible for the coordination and performance of nursing activities in an assigned section/unit during a designated shift. In the absence of other senior management, an LPN may be responsible for oversight of the facility during certain shifts.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) candidate must complete a state-accredited nursing school program. He or she must then apply to the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing and register for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Upon state and NCSBN approval, the prospective LPN must pass the NCLEX examination.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Registered Nurse
MDS Coordinator
A Registered Nurse (RN) provides professional nursing care to patients to ensure their comfort and well‐being. RNs administer prescribed medications and treatments, perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, and maintain residents’ medical records upon observation. They also oversee other workers such as LPNs and CNAs and may assist a physician/medical director during treatment and examination of a resident.
A Registered Nurse (RN) candidate must complete a four-year bachelor’s of science (BSN) or an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), which typically takes two years to complete. He or she must then apply to the Pennsylvania board of Nursing and register for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Upon state and NCSBN approval, the prospective RN must pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Scholarships for individuals pursuing nursing education are available.
A Registered Nurse (RN) candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Unit Manager
MDS Coordinator
Staff Development Coordinator
Assistant Director of Nursing
The Charge Nurse is responsible for supervising the nursing staff (CNAs, LPNs, RNs) on an assigned unit to ensure continuity and quality of resident care while promoting an environment of learning and independence.
A Charge Nurse must meet the registered nurse education requirements and typically have between three and five years of experience in a clinical setting with some management experience.
A Charge Nurse candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Director of Nursing
An MDS Coordinator (Resident Assessment Coordinator) promotes residents’ emotional and physical well-being by conducting assessments, gathering data on behaviors, moods, cognition, and nutrition, and developing individualized care plans. They collaborate with medical and therapy teams to implement and monitor these plans, ensuring effectiveness, compliance, and quality of care.
An MDS coordinator must complete a Registered Nurse (RN) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) program and receive on-the-job training, or they must complete a formal training program.
An MDS Coordinator must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, Dialysis, and RAC-CT to ensure accurate assessments and comprehensive resident care.
Unit Manager
Assistant Director of Nursing
The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is responsible for supervising clinical staff (CNAs, LPNs, RNs) to help ensure continuity and quality of resident care. In the Director of Nursing’s absence, the ADON assumes responsibility for the nursing department.
An ADON must meet the registered nurse education requirements and typically possess at least five years of experience in a clinical setting with some management experience.
An ADON candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Director of Nursing
Staff Development Coordinator
The Staff Development Coordinator plans and delivers education to strengthen nursing staff skills, oversees ongoing professional development, coordinates new employee orientation, and identifies training needs through regular assessments and inservices.
A Staff Development Coordinator must meet the registered nurse education requirements and typically have between three and five years of experience in a clinical setting with some management experience.
This candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Assistant Director of Nursing
The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for supervising all nursing staff, ensuring there is adequate nursing staff, and ensuring that the staff’s skills remain current in order to meet the needs of the residents and state and federal regulations. The DON oversees development and implementation of nursing policy and procedure and communication of residents’ needs to the physicians.
A Director of Nursing must meet the Registered Nurse (RN) education requirements and typically possess a minimum of five years experience in a clinical setting with some management experience.
This candidate must hold certifications in Wound Care, Dementia Care, Hospice and Palliative Care, Infection Prevention, and Dialysis to provide comprehensive, specialized nursing support that meets state and clinical care standards.
Quality Assurance Nurse
The Quality Assurance (QA) Nurse identifies and implements improvements in care procedures to enhance resident outcomes. They help develop, evaluate, and enforce policies, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and provide continuing education across one or more facilities.
QA Nurses must meet the Registered Nurse (RN) licensure requirements and have at least five years of experience in a clinical setting with some management experience included.
A Health Care Quality & Management (HCQM) Certification is required for QA Nurses to validate their expertise in quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and effective care management across healthcare facilities.
Senior Nurse Consultant