Section 134.41. Administrator.

 

(1)   Administrator's responsibility. The administrator is responsible for the total operation of the facility and shall provide the supervision necessary to ensure that the residents receive proper care and treatment, that their health and safety are protected and promoted and that their rights are respected.

(2)   Full-time administrator. Every facility shall be supervised by a full-time administrator licensed under ch. 456 , Stats. , except that:

(a) A facility licensed for 17 to 50 beds shall employ an administrator for at least 4 hours a day on each of 5 days in a week. No administrator may be employed by more than 2 of these facilities. The administrator shall be licensed under ch. 456 , Stats. , and

(b) A facility licensed for 16 or fewer beds shall employ an administrator for at least 10 hours a week. No administrator may be employed by more than 4 of these facilities. The administrator shall be licensed under ch. 456 , Stats.

(3)   Absence of administrator. A staff person present in the facility and competent to supervise the staff and operate the facility shall be designated to be in charge whenever residents are present and there is not an administrator in the facility. The designee shall be identified to all staff.

(4)   Change of administrator.

(a) Termination. Except as provided in par. (b) , no administrator may be terminated unless recruitment procedures are begun immediately.

(b) Replacement. If it is necessary to immediately terminate an administrator or if the licensee abruptly loses an administrator for other reasons, a permanent replacement shall be employed as soon as possible but not later than 120 days following the effective date of the vacancy.

(c) Temporary replacement. During a temporary vacancy in the position of administrator, the licensee shall employ a temporary replacement administrator until the original permanent administrator returns or until a new permanent administrator can be hired, whichever is appropriate.

(d) Notice of change. When the licensee loses an administrator, the licensee shall notify the department within 2 working days of the loss and provide written notification to the department of the name and qualifications of the person in charge of the facility during the vacancy and, when known, the name and qualifications of the replacement administrator.

Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390 , eff. 7-1-88; CR 04-053 : am. (2) (b) Register October 2004 No. 586 , eff. 11-1-04.