Event Registration

Nursing Facility Administrator Foundations

Hybrid Format

This program will be offered in a hybrid format, meaning you can attend in-person or virtually.

Note: Registering for this hybrid event grants you live access only.

Program Description

Nursing Facility Administrator Foundations is IHCA’s newly redesigned, comprehensive training program built specifically for new nursing facility administrators — those with two years of experience or fewer. This two-day educational experience equips emerging leaders with the confidence, essential knowledge and practical tools needed to navigate the complex operational, clinical, regulatory and leadership responsibilities of today’s long-term care environment.

Participants will gain grounding in the foundational competencies required for success in the administrator role — from understanding day-to-day operations and financial management to survey readiness, hiring, safety, quality improvement, and risk mitigation. Through expert-led instruction, real-world examples, and opportunities for discussion, new administrators will leave with a clearer understanding of their responsibilities and a stronger ability to lead their facility with confidence.

Location

BCG Education Center
Iowa Health Care Association
1775 90th St.
West Des Moines, IA

Schedule

August 5-6, 2026

Session Descriptions

Leading the Building: Stepping into the Shoes of a Nursing Facility Administrator – Speaker: Jessica McDyer
This session provides a practical, realistic overview of the day-to-day responsibilities of a nursing facility administrator. From managing staff and resident needs to overseeing operations, surveys, families and the interdisciplinary team, new administrators will learn how to prioritize effectively, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence.

Financial and Business Fundamentals for Administrators – Speaker: Jeff Steggerda
Administrators must understand the financial health of their facilities and how financial decisions affect staffing, quality, and resident care. This session introduces key concepts such as budgeting, revenue cycle basics, reimbursement considerations, cost controls, financial reporting, and how to interpret key performance indicators.

Quality Improvement Foundations: Using Process Improvement to Drive Better Outcomes – Speaker: Brenda Irlbeck
This session is an accessible introduction to the principles of quality improvement and QAPI. Administrators will learn how to collect and use data to identify trends, guide decision-making, and improve clinical and operational outcomes. The session connects quality work to staff engagement, resident satisfaction, and survey success.

Mitigating Facility Risk: Proactive Practices for Administrators – Speaker: Becki Brommel
New administrators will gain a foundational understanding of risk management in long-term care. Topics include incident reporting, documentation expectations, high-risk clinical and operational areas, liability considerations, and how to build a culture of awareness and prevention. Practical examples will help participants recognize and address risk before it escalates.

Human Resources Essentials & Hiring for Long-Term Success – Speaker: Jo Ellen Whitney
Staffing is one of the most critical responsibilities of an administrator. This session covers hiring fundamentals, effective onboarding practices, documentation expectations, coaching techniques, and performance management strategies — helping administrators build stable, strong teams and avoid common HR pitfalls.

Regulatory Compliance and Survey Preparedness – Speaker: Brenda Irlbeck
This comprehensive, two-part training gives new administrators a solid understanding of regulatory requirements and the survey process. Participants explore federal and state regulations, top citations, surveyor expectations, daily practices that strengthen compliance, and best practices for managing survey activities. Real-world examples and tools will help new administrators build confidence in leading their teams before, during and after survey.

Life Safety, Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness Essentials – Speaker: Ryan Matheney
This session introduces administrators to their responsibilities related to life safety regulations, physical plant requirements and emergency preparedness planning. Participants learn key expectations for documentation, equipment checks, drills, staff training, and collaboration with maintenance and emergency partners to ensure the safety and readiness of their facility.

Continuing Education Credit

This program is approved for 12.0 contact hours for:

• NF administrators
• Nurses

Registration Fees

Members:     $275 per person
Non-members:         $825 per person

Speaker Bios

Rebecca (Becki) Brommel is a partner at Dorsey & Whitney, LLP and practices in the area of health care litigation. She regularly represents long term care providers in regulatory matters, including citations and government investigations, as well as general litigation matters such as contract disputes, recovery of unpaid accounts, and other types of business disputes. Becki received her B.A. from Drake University in 1998 and her law degree from Drake University Law School in 2001. She is a member of the Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys and regularly presents to the long-term care industry on regulatory and litigation topics.

Brenda Irlbeck is VP, Regulatory Affairs for IHCA. Brenda is a registered nurse, certified assisted living manager and a former director of nursing. She leads the IHCA and ICAL Quality Improvement Advisory Councils, is a Silver Examiner for the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, and serves on the AHCA Survey/Regulatory Committee. With over twenty years of post-acute leadership experience, she is knowledgeable in quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and clinical practice in long-term care settings.

Ryan Matheney is a former owner of a long-term care facility with many years of experience in the health care industry. He is a former co-chair of the IHCA Life Safety committee and currently sits on the Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness committee for AHCA. He is a Certified Fire Protection Specialist through NFPA and represents AHCA on the NFPA Health Care Business Section. Ryan is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and staff, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the Life Safety Code and Emergency Preparedness to implement robust safety protocols and emergency response plans.

Jessica McDyer, Senior VP and COO for Care Initiatives, oversees operations while driving efficiencies to support sustainable business growth. Jessica has a passion for caring for residents in a post-acute health care setting. She has spent her entire career in skilled nursing, serving in environmental services as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and Regional Director of Operations for Care Initiatives. Through IHCA, Jessica has served on several committees and on the Board of Directors. She currently serves on the IHCA Foundation Board. Jessica attended the University of Iowa, where she graduated from the Tippie College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in management with an emphasis in aging studies.

Jeff Steggerda is a Consultant and Co-Founder of Brighton Consulting Group. Jeff has worked in the long-term care profession since 1986 and he began working with IHCA in 1993 as a Reimbursement Consultant. His roles for IHCA have included creating and maintaining several informational databases to support the quality, finance and data objectives of the association. His career path includes public accounting and positions as Director of Accounting with regional long-term care companies.

Jo Ellen Whitney, shareholder, Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm, is a renowned expert in employment and health law, known for her practical approach and engaging speaking style. She advises a diverse range of clients, including employers, HR professionals and health care administrators, on issues such as employment law, health law, privacy compliance, and contract development. Jo Ellen has significant experience representing clients before administrative agencies and in courts, specializing in business planning, discipline, regulatory compliance, and issues related to wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. She also works extensively in health law, focusing on privacy issues like HIPAA, as well as medical staffing, consent and licensure matters. As a thought leader, she frequently speaks and writes on employment law and privacy, contributing to publications and presenting at major industry events. Jo Ellen is also the author of the Iowa Guide to Medical Records and regularly trains health care and HR professionals on legal compliance and best practices.

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