The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society's strong desire is to ensure that each facility is led by an administrator who possesses not only excellent management skills but who can also serve with both compassion and spiritual leadership.

In order to find talented people with these qualities, the Society began an administrative internship program in the early 1970s. Since that time, the program has continued to expand and has received the highest recommendations from state licensure boards throughout the United States.

The Good Samaritan internship is normally a 5-6 month experience at an internship site selected by the Society. The intern is both a student and an employee of the Society, engaged as an "apprentice" in the Administrator- In-Training (AIT) program to grow and develop as a professional.

The focuses of the internship experience are both clinical experience in a nursing home environment and intensive classroom instruction. The intern is exposed to general long-term care topics; Federal and State regulations; and specific Good Samaritan philosophies, policies, and procedures.

The internship is completed under the guidance of a licensed and experienced preceptor, with the Society's Director, Administrators' Services & Education conducting site visits and providing overall direction for the program. Upon successful completion of the internship, the intern is assigned to a Good Samaritan facility as an administrator.

Internship Training:
The intern will complete some 1,000 scheduled hours of on-site activities at the selected training site. Included will be these components:

• General Administration
• Home- & Community- Based Services
• Business Office/Financial Management
• Health Information Management
• Human Resources/Staff Development
• Corporate Compliance
• Procurement/Inventory
• Project Development
• Strategic and Operational Planning
• Public Policy
• Leadership & Mission Effectiveness
• Resident Services
• Learning Leadership
• Environmental Services
• Resource Development
• Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement
• Risk Management

In each area, the intern will complete required tasks and reading assignments and will have opportunity for evaluation and feedback. The overall goal is to provide a broad base of knowledge about the facility's operation, which will help the intern develop his/her unique style of administration.

Academic Coursework:
Concurrent with the on-site training, the intern will (if necessary) complete required coursework at one of several colleges or universities to fulfill degree or state licensure requirements. The cost of required courses will be borne by the intern.

Workshops:
During the course of the internship, the intern will attend various workshops at the Society's National Campus. A spiritual workshop will provide an understanding of the Administrator's role as it relates to being the spiritual leader of the facility. A Human Resources /Quality workshop will provide a broad overview of Society's commitment to quality through effective leadership. A financial workshop will acquaint the intern with the Society's accounting and financial management systems.

Stipend and Benefits:
Good Samaritan interns are considered an employee of the Society and receives a stipend. In addition, they receive a complete benefit package including life insurance, major medical/dental insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, pension, and paid time off.

Internship Qualifications:
Persons applying to participate in the Good Samaritan Society's internship program must meet these prerequisites:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  
• Background coursework or experience in health care, business administration, or gerontology
  
• Strong desire to serve the elderly within a Christian framework
  
• Ability to and willingness to relocate to any of the Good Samaritan facilities located in 24 states
  
• Be an active member of a christian church