Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has taken steps to bring clarity to the credentialing process for future Nursing Home Administrators at a time when the nursing home sector continues to face staffing concerns.
A University of Michigan School of Public Health study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds no segment of healthcare has lost as many workers as nursing homes since the start of the pandemic. Employment at nursing homes is 10.5% below pre-pandemic levels compared to 3.3% for hospitals and 1.6% for physician offices, according to the study.
The recent moves by Wisconsin DSPS impact licensing of Nursing Home Administrators.
First, DSPS has added clarity by specifically identifying existing courses that would help fulfill the department’s requirements for a Nursing Home Administrator license and highlighted those courses on its website.
Secondly, the agency has added pre-approved courses and programs that would help fulfill DSPS requirements for a Nursing Home Administrator license. The biggest addition involved working with the University of Minnesota to have its program and specialized courses pre-approved.
“The work of our Division of Policy Development Administrator, Sarah Barry, was instrumental in making this happen,” said DSPS Secretary-designee Dan Hereth. “The nursing home sector asked for clarity and more options, and Sarah and her team responded, working with the professionals and the universities to create more options and improve our processes in ways that do not compromise our commitment to public safety.”
Other recent steps by Wisconsin DSPS to bring more efficiency to state licensing processes include the streamlining of testing for dental and pharmacy school graduates, as well as an agreement to dramatically increase time and location options for those taking a trades exam.
About DSPS: DSPS issues more than 240 unique licenses, administers dozens of boards and councils that regulate professions, enforces state building codes, and maintains the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which is a key tool in the multi-faceted public health campaign to stem excessive opioid prescribing. A fee-based agency, DSPS is self-sustaining and receives no general fund tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. With four offices and 250 employees throughout Wisconsin, DSPS collaborates with constituents and stakeholders across a wide range of industries to promote safety and advance the economy.
