A health services manager, also known as a health manager, is an administrator who coordinates important aspects of a healthcare environment, such as a hospital, an outpatient clinic or a nursing home. These professionals may work in private or public health settings while addressing such tasks as planning and implementing operations, managing facilities and overseeing employees.
Health services managers are more than just administrators, though. They function as the glue that holds a health services facility together. During a single week, they might oversee nurse training, purchase equipment, plan budgets and create staff schedules.
Let’s take a closer look at this vital healthcare role.
Interested in healthcare management? A degree from University of Phoenix is a great place to start!
To become an effective health manager, you need to have more than just solid organizational skills. Knowledge of communication, leadership and problem-solving can help you work effectively with others in different nursing and healthcare settings, often behind the scenes.
Because health managers oversee facility operations and supervise employees, including those with clinical backgrounds, it’s important to be able to make high-level decisions through critical thinking, analyze problems and motivate staff.
Knowing how to have productive conversations is also key as a health services manager. They need to be able to effectively communicate with administrators, doctors, nurses and support staff, as well as external vendors and patients. Listening skills, empathy and transparency are important in this capacity.
Finally, because every day can look different as a health services administrator, they need to be adaptable to any situation, whether building an activities schedule or responding to urgent clinical priorities. Health managers need to quickly learn new technology, implement the latest best practices and stay updated on nursing and healthcare trends.
To qualify for a position as a health services manager, you will need an bachelor’s degree. Students often pursue a bachelor’s degree in health management or a related healthcare degree.
Look for degree programs that teach skills a health services manager will need. For example, prioritize options that include courses in management, budgeting, regulations, ethics and more. You’ll also need to learn how to manage human resources tasks, protect electronic health records (EHRs) and analyze internal and external data.
Most health services managers do not need professional certification to begin work. However, certification programs are valuable for deepening health management-related skills. For example, through the Health Care Compliance Association individuals can obtain certification in healthcare compliance (Certified in Healthcare Compliance, or CHC credential), as well as other certifications. UOPX educationally prepares students to sit for this exam through its Master of Health Administration with a concentration in Health Care Compliance and Privacy program and the Graduate Health Care Compliance and Privacy Certificate.
Some facilities, like nursing homes, require health managers to hold a state-issued license. Depending on your responsibilities, you may also need licensure as a social worker or registered nurse.
Many employers prefer candidates with at least a few years of hands-on experience in an administrative or clinical setting. Employers appreciate this experience because it often means the job candidate is already familiar with the workplace and the problems they might face as a health services manager.
There are several ways to gain practical experience in a healthcare environment. Some aspiring health services professionals get their start with an internship, one that bridges the gap between the classroom and the real world. Others find employment in one of several entry-level healthcare careers where they can learn useful skills in patient care, business administration, clerical tasks and health IT.
The exact duties vary based on factors such as location and facility type. For example, some health services managers spend most of their time coordinating patient programs and operations schedules. In other settings, they might also handle finances, business administration, HR and compliance.
Here are some of the typical daily tasks a health services manager might handle:
Collaboration is important for most of the duties a health service manager handles. They work alongside other members of a healthcare organization to protect patients and help ensure quality care.
Throughout the week, health services managers may work in several areas, including:
Ongoing education plays an important role in the career of every health services manager. They must understand applicable laws and ethics that affect their responsibilities and how those policies might change over time.
Healthcare laws provide a rigid framework for a healthcare setting. They might protect patient privacy, regulate billing or protect a company’s reputation. The same laws should also inform internal policies on patient safety and risk.
As far as ethical considerations, health services managers should, for example, understand how ethics impact patient consent, equal access to care and patient family rights. An organization’s ethical policies should also provide clarity during a dispute or conflict of interest.
As health managers gain experience in management, they might qualify for further leadership positions within a healthcare organization. Growth opportunities can include administrative or department leadership. They might aspire to join the executive leadership team where they can collaborate with stakeholders, clinicians and community representatives to shape policy and protocols.
Other health services managers go on to become consultants. They can use their knowledge and skills to help healthcare companies improve operations across departments.
Several important factors influence the salary of virtually every healthcare employee. For example, location, years of experience, active certifications and employer can all impact income. As of May 2022, the lowest 10% of health services managers made less than $64,100 and the highest 10% earned more than $209,990 per year, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Positions are projected to grow by 28% from 2022 through 2032, much faster than other occupations, according to BLS. This should create an estimated 54,700 new positions each year for aspiring medical and health services managers.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by BLS. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
If you’re interested in learning more about a career as a health services manager, University of Phoenix (UOPX) has degree programs that can help you prepare for this career path. Healthcare degrees can be earned 100% online, allowing you the flexibility to pursue your educational goals without putting your life on hold. Read more about healthcare degree options available at UOPX:
Michael Feder is a content marketing specialist at University of Phoenix, where he researches and writes on a variety of topics, ranging from healthcare to IT. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars program and a New Jersey native!
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