Long-term health care administrators' perceptions of needed professional competencies

The educational preparation that long-term care (LTC) administrators have received is thought to influence their professional socialization. This process influences the perceptions of LTC administrators which then influence their actions. The question raised by this research was as follows: 'Does the advanced education preparation of currently licensed LTC administrators in the state of Utah significantly affect their perceptions of what are important competencies for future LTC administrators?' A questionnaire was mailed to 315 LTC administrators licensed in Utah. The results indicated no significant difference in the mean scores between those administrators with baccalaureate or higher degrees and those with less than a baccalaureate degree. Both groups perceived leadership to be the most important competency needed by LTC administrators. Knowledge of trends in health care and quality assurance was the second and third most important competencies indicated needed by both groups. No significant correlations were found between category scores of perceived importance and number of years as a licensed LTC administrator.