how to take online rcfe classes

6 Tips for Taking RCFE Classes Online

Taking all or part of your Residential Care for the Elderly (RCFE) certification and continuing education classes in an online format provides many advantages over in-person classes. You can save commuting time and costs while a flexible class schedule works around employment and family obligations.

Many students, however, may harbor some misconceptions about online RCFE CEUs and other virtual RCFE classes. Instructors teach these courses with the same vigor and rigorous requirements as in-person training. Not only are the teachers just as qualified and experienced, but the students are also expected to complete the same assignments and competency requirements as a traditional class. 

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many in-person activities have pivoted to online – the assisted living industry is no exception.  For the RCFE initial certification class, the California Department of Social Services (DSS) has temporarily allowed the 60-hour live class portion to be Live Streamed (Webinar) on Zoom due to COVID restrictions. This temporary allowance will expire on June 30, 2022. 

online rcfe course

No matter how many useful methods you employ for online class success, the most important factor involves making the best use of the study time you have and focusing completely on your materials. This article provides a number of strategies to help you learn, think and master the online portion of your RCFE administrator course or any online class.

6 Ways To Improve Your Online RCFE Administrator Course Outcomes

All online students are unique with individual strengths, advantages and challenges. Use the tips that best apply to your situation. 

1. Understand Your Course and Approach It With the Right Mindset

Once you enroll in an online class, carefully read the course syllabus and make note of the goals, reading assignments, and video homework. Treat the requirements with the same dedication you would give an in-person class or a work project and expect a positive experience.

2. Organize Your Space and Your Pace

If you already have a quiet corner or desk space, make sure to utilize it for your study time. Keep your computer or tablet and course resources at hand. Turn off your phone and social media notifications and avoid as many distractions as possible.

Not everyone has a dedicated study space, so you may need to think outside the box to set up a workspace. You might also consider studying at a public library or quiet corner of a coffee shop as long as it offers internet connectivity.

studying for RCFE exam

Although online classes allow you to study anytime, following a schedule makes a huge difference. Even if family responsibilities make regular study times difficult, a tentative framework helps keep you on track.

3. Connect Your Study Tasks to Your Future Work

During your review of course materials, try to connect the information to your upcoming work in an assisted living facility. As your instructor relates experiences, think about your own elderly relatives or acquaintances and how strategies might apply to them. Associating what you learn with real-life situations helps you to reinforce the information that’s being presented to you. As you advance in your classes, be cognizant of the qualities that make a good assisted living administrator.

4. Utilize All Textbooks, Videos, and Supplementary Materials

All Assisted Living Education  RCFE classes are designed to meet the requirements of the California Department of Social Services. The course videos, textbooks, and additional materials are carefully developed for a quality experience. Additionally, course materials from state-approved vendors, like Assisted Living Education, assure you that the course includes everything you need to know to pass RCFE initial certification classes or RCFE CEUs. Completing all assignments associated with these resources is vital to success. 

Online courses typically include a virtual textbook and other materials. If you prefer using printed information, however, you may want to invest in a hard copy of the textbook or print some of the other handouts so you can make notes in the margins and highlight information.

5. Participate in Discussions

If you are new to online learning, the discussion area set up by the instructor may seem a little intimidating at first, but it is another essential element of your class success. During instruction through Zoom, the chat function is available to students for questions and comments. Therefore, prepping questions in advance of class will give you an opportunity to contemplate the coursework more thoroughly. Questions and comments from fellow classmates may also aid in giving you a different perspective on the material. 

The online format allows students and instructors to maximize their time. Each participant has the opportunity to post in chat, and it avoids one or two individuals dominating the conversation.

6. Review Periodically

Before you begin each study session, take a few minutes to review any notes and materials from what was covered previously. This reinforces the concepts and may help you relate them to the new material presented. Consider preparing questions for your instructor in advance. 

If you are taking the RCFE administrator course, there are practice test questions for RCFE classes that will help prepare you for the RCFE administrator exam. The questions are similar to those in the exam and will help you pinpoint areas for further review. ALE provides a test prep as part of the online learning classes free to our students of the Initial Administrator Course. 

Succeed With Online Classes

Virtual courses can make it possible to fit the RCFE administrator course, required RCFE CEUs, or other RCFE classes into a hectic work and family schedule. By taking practical measures to focus on the instruction and avoid distractions, you can complete your courses and reach your assisted living career goals.

If you need help finding appropriate online RCFE certification and CEU classes, contact us at Assisted Living Education. We are here to support you on every step of your career path.

About Assisted Living Education (ALE):

ALE is an approved Initial Certification Training Program vendor in the state of California. Our instructors have extensive experience in RCFE Certification Training and RCFE Continuing Education. Are you thinking of operating your own assisted living facility? ALE provides RCFE Licensing assistance and RCFE Consulting Services. We have a proven track record of preparing RCFE owners and their employees for a career in assisted living. 

People Also Ask:

How do I get an RCFE license? A certified RCFE administrator must be at least 21 years old and have completed high school or acquired a GED. Additionally, you must complete the 80-hour RCFE Certification class and pass the California State exam. A background check is required. The application for the RCFE certificate is $100. 

About Assisted Living Education
Assisted Living Education has been operating in and improving the growing senior care industry for over 15 years. Founded by certified RCFE administrators, Jane Van Dyke-Perez and Bill Perez, we have licensed more than 1,100 assisted living facilities and built close relationships with the California Department of Social Services, assisted living managers, owners and industry professionals. As senior living care educators ourselves, we strive to contribute our knowledge and skills to continually improve senior care and the satisfaction of those working in the industry.