Interim Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

Job DescriptionInterim Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (Interim LNHA)Southeast Healthcare — Georgia OperationsPosition OverviewThe Interim Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (Interim LNHA) provides temporary, full-scope administrative leadership of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) during periods of planned or unplanned leadership transition. This role ensures operational continuity, regulatory compliance, clinical quality, and staff stability from day one of assignment through a successful permanent hire or defined end date. The Interim LNHA carries the same authority, responsibilities, and accountability as the permanent Administrator of Record.Reports To: Regional Director of Operations / Business PartnerDepartment: AdministrationFLSA Status: ExemptEmployment Type: Temporary / Contract (Full-Time)Assignment Duration: As needed; typically 30–180 days or until permanent placementLocation: Georgia (Skilled Nursing Facility — assigned site)PURPOSE OF THE INTERIM ROLEThe Interim LNHA is deployed to bridge leadership gaps and prevent operational, regulatory, or financial deterioration during administrator transitions. Key scenarios include: Sudden vacancy due to resignation, termination, medical leave, or extended absence of the Administrator of Record. Facilities under heightened regulatory scrutiny, active Plan of Correction, or Special Focus Facility (SFF) designation requiring stabilizing leadership. Pre-survey readiness assignments where an experienced operator is needed to shore up compliance posture. Post-survey intervention following a Substandard Quality of Care (SQC) finding or Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citation. Planned transitions such as facility acquisition, ownership change, or management company onboarding.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesTransition Leadership & Stabilization Assume full Administrator of Record responsibilities upon assignment; complete Georgia DCH Change of Administrator notification within required timeframes. Conduct a rapid operational assessment within the first 72 hours covering staffing, clinical quality indicators, survey history, financial performance, and department head capability. Develop and communicate a short-term stabilization plan to regional leadership within 5–7 business days of assignment start. Maintain facility operations at full capacity while minimizing disruption to residents, families, and staff.Administrative & Operational Oversight Provide day-to-day executive direction of all departments: nursing, dietary, social services, activities, environmental services, and business office. Enforce corporate policies, CMS Conditions of Participation (42 CFR Part 483), and Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) regulations. Oversee payroll, accounts payable, petty cash, vendor management, and purchasing within authorized thresholds. Lead daily stand-up, department head meetings, and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) sessions. Document operational status, open issues, and transition notes to ensure a clean handoff to the incoming permanent administrator.Clinical Quality & Regulatory Compliance Maintain or improve compliance with 42 CFR Part 483 F-tag standards and all applicable CMS/DCH requirements throughout the assignment. Serve as the primary facility liaison for any ongoing CMS or DCH surveys, complaint investigations, or POC submissions. Monitor MDS/RAI accuracy, care plan integrity, and interdisciplinary team coordination to protect PDPM reimbursement and clinical outcomes. Track rehospitalization rates, ALOS, pressure injury rates, falls, and other quality indicators; escalate adverse trends to regional leadership immediately. Ensure resident rights protections remain fully intact under 42 CFR483.10 and Georgia state statutes throughout the transition period.Staffing & Labor Management Assess and stabilize staffing levels to meet or exceed CMS Minimum Staffing Standards and Georgia PPD benchmarks from day of arrival. Manage agency utilization, overtime, and scheduling to control labor costs while maintaining safe, compliant staffing ratios. Identify critical open positions and collaborate with regional HR to initiate recruitment for key department head roles. Foster staff confidence and morale during the leadership gap; address grievances promptly and transparently.Census & Financial Stewardship Partner with the Admissions/Marketing team to protect and grow census; maintain referral relationships and evaluate clinical appropriateness of all admissions. Monitor daily financials, flag budget variances to regional leadership, and implement corrective actions within scope of authority. Ensure Medicare/Medicaid billing accuracy and AR management; escalate complex payer issues to the Business Office Manager and regional finance team.Transition Handoff Maintain a living Transition Log documenting open operational items, pending regulatory matters, staffing gaps, vendor issues, and recommended priorities for the incoming administrator. Participate in formal handoff meeting with the incoming permanent administrator and regional leadership prior to assignment end. Provide a written end-of-assignment summary report to the Regional Director of Operations covering facility status, actions taken, outstanding items, and recommendations.Minimum QualificationsLicensure & Education Current, active Georgia Nursing Home Administrator License issued by the Georgia Board of Long Term Care Facility Administrators — REQUIRED at time of assignment. Must be eligible and willing to serve as Administrator of Record in Georgia; Georgia DCH Change of Administrator notification must be completed within required timeframe. Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field required.Experience Minimum of five (5) years of SNF/LTC administration experience, with at least three (3) years as a licensed Administrator of Record in a skilled nursing environment. Prior experience in interim, turnaround, or multi-site leadership roles strongly preferred. Demonstrated success managing CMS surveys, responding to F-tag deficiencies, and executing Plans of Correction under compressed timelines. Proven ability to rapidly assess, stabilize, and improve facility operations with minimal onboarding time.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Expert-level knowledge of 42 CFR Part 483, CMS Long-Term Care Survey protocols, Georgia DCH regulations, and NHA licensing statutes. Strong proficiency with EHR/EMR platforms (Point Click Care preferred), payroll/scheduling systems, and Microsoft Office Suite. Exceptional crisis management, communication, and staff leadership skills; able to build trust quickly in new environments. Financial acumen sufficient to interpret P&L statements, manage PPD budgets, and oversee AR/AP functions independently. High adaptability and comfort operating in ambiguous, high-stakes situations with limited support infrastructure.Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Health Administration (MHA) or Business Administration (MBA). Prior experience as an Interim Administrator across multiple facilities or organizations. Experience managing facilities under Special Focus Facility (SFF) designation, Immediate Jeopardy, or Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP). National certification: Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators (FACHA) or equivalent. Familiarity with PDPM optimization, value-based purchasing, and managed care contracting.Georgia Licensure & Regulatory RequirementsAll candidates must hold an active Georgia NHA license prior to assuming the Administrator of Record role. Key requirements include: Licensure issued by the Georgia Board of Long Term Care Facility Administrators (O.C.G.A.31-7-1 et seq.). Georgia DCH must be notified of Administrator of Record change; temporary licenses may be issued for up to 90 days and provisional licenses for up to 12 months where applicable. Continuing education requirements must be current per Georgia Board standards. Interim administrators serving as Administrator of Record bear the same licensing accountability as permanent holders; no exemptions apply to interim status. Out-of-state licensed NHAs must obtain Georgia licensure or a Georgia temporary license before serving as Administrator of Record.ASSIGNMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS Assignments are full-time, on-site, and may require relocation or extended travel; housing/travel stipend eligibility subject to corporate policy. Interim LNHA must be available for rapid deployment, typically within 5–10 business days of assignment confirmation. Assignment length is determined by regional leadership; extensions may be granted based on facility needs and transition progress. All interim assignments operate under a formal Scope of Work Agreement outlining authority, reporting cadence, and deliverables. Interim LNHA is subject to the same performance expectations, code of conduct, and compliance obligations as permanent staff.WORKING CONDITIONS On-site assignment; must be fully present and accessible during business hours with availability for evenings, weekends, and on-call situations as facility needs dictate. Exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and conditions common to a healthcare environment; PPE required and provided. Travel between facilities and to corporate/regional offices may be required during or between assignments. Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYSoutheast Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.Southeast Healthcare is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.Acknowledgment & SignatureI have read and understand the job description for the Interim Licensed Nursing Home Administrator position and agree to perform the duties described herein.Employee Name (Print): ___________________________________________Employee Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ________________Supervisor / HR Representative: ___________________________________________ Date: ________________