(a) Bylaws.

1. (1) The governing body shall consist of an individual or a board of directors and shall adopt effective client care policies and administrative policies and bylaws governing the operation of the facility in accordance with legal requirements.

2. (2) The governing body must:

   1. (A) Exercise general policy, budget, and operating direction over the facility;
   2. (B) Set the qualifications, in addition to those already set by state law, if any; and
   3. (C) Appoint the administrator of the facility.

(b) Administration.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Fifteen-bed or less ICF/IID's shall have an employee who shall serve as administrator and who shall be currently licensed as an ICF/IID fifteen-bed or less LTC administrator in accordance with Acts 1969, No. 58, and Acts 1979, No. 28, and the rules promulgated thereunder.
   2. (B) The administrator must be present in the facility at least eight (8) hours per week, not including travel time.
   3. (C) Each facility administrator may have responsibilities with other entities which do not interfere with facility administration.
   4. (D) The administrator must have responsibility for overall operation of the facility (one (1) or more) and is responsible for any noncompliance with rules and regulations found in the facility.
   5. (E)

(i) No administrator shall be responsible for more than four (4) facilities.

1. (ii) Correspondence between this office and the facility shall be through the licensed administrator.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The licensed administrator shall designate in writing an individual who shall be available to LTC personnel during normal business hours and shall delegate authority in writing to a resident facility manager, a business manager, a QIDP, or other qualified individual who may manage the facility temporarily during the administrator's absence or during such time as the administrator may be performing other duties.
   2. (B) Also, the facility administrator shall notify the Office of Long-Term Care in writing if an absence from the facility will exceed seven (7) consecutive days.
   3. (C) The name of the individual who will be administratively in charge of the facility should also be listed in the letter.

3. (3)

   1. (A) Administrators-in-training shall receive training in ICF/IID facilities that employ a licensed administrator.
   2. (B) Administrators-in-training shall not serve as an LTC administrator until such time that an LTC administrator's license is obtained.
   3. (C) Applicants that qualify to take the administrator’s examination shall not practice as an LTC administrator until licensed by this office.