Overview
The Long-Term Care concentration is designed to address the needs of the growing elderly population who need access to long-term care services. The concentration provides the skills needed to lead and manage long-term care facilities and community-based services.
Long-Term Care may be suitable for those interested in future careers in nursing, medicine, research and biomedical related fields. The concentration prepares students for professional schools such as medical school, physician assistant school, nursing school and graduate public health programs. Conferral of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Long-Term Care does not result in professional licensure.
Internships / Practicums
Potential internships/practicum sites include long-term care facilities (i.e. nursing facilities, sub-acute facilities, and assisted living) and community-based services (i.e. hospice, home care, and adult day care centers). Other potential sites include government agencies (i.e. the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, and the City and County Elder Affairs Division); long-term care advocates (i.e. the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi, Meals on Wheels, and Senior Centers, Clubs, and Organizations); and payers of long-term care services (i.e. Medicare and Medicaid providers).
Careers and Earning Potential
Long-Term Care careers are available in both the public and private sectors including nursing and sub-acute facilities, assisted living, elderly housing, hospice, home care, adult day care, and private care and foster homes. In non-clinical administrative positions, salaries vary depending on position, provider, certification/licensing required, and experience in the field.
For more information on careers and earning potential, visit the Hawaiʻi Industry Sectors website.
Student Clubs
A healthcare/long-term care administrator student club is being established at UH West Oʻahu to enhance student learning and provide opportunities to develop leadership skills such as communication, peer and community interaction, work ethics, networking, and teamwork. Slated to begin in Fall 2019, students will have the opportunity to network with healthcare leaders, recent graduates of UH West Oʻahu who currently work in long-term care, and interact with the community of elders, potential users of long-term care services.