Health services managers perform a wide range of administrative duties aimed at keeping the business operating efficiently and running smoothly. Read on to learn more about the responsibilities, education, and employment of health service managers.
Tasks and Responsibilities
As a health services manager, also known as a medical services manager or a healthcare executive, you're responsible for the administration in organizations and facilities that provide healthcare. You're in charge of directing the financial affairs of a medical or healthcare facility, including budgetary concerns, service charge authorizations, and income reporting. You also coordinate the recruiting and training of other medical personnel and supervise their overall job performance to maximize efficiency and improve the quality of care provided.
In smaller hospitals and clinics, the top health services managers may be responsible for overseeing the general administrative aspects of many different areas of the facility. In larger facilities, there may be several different managers, with each being in charge of a different clinical area. Similarly, bigger facilities may employ additional administrative assistants to monitor everyday activities and report back to the head manager.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutHealthServicesManagers">Important Facts About Health Services Managers</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> Healthcare facilities</td></tr>
<tr><td>Licensure </td><td> Required; varies by state</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills </td><td> Communication, problem-solving, attention to detail</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations </td><td> Human Resources Manager, Insurance Underwriter, Community Service Manager</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EducationalRequirements">Educational Requirements</h3><p>To become a health services manager, you need to earn at least a bachelor's degree, though a master's degree is preferred in many cases. Bachelor's degree holders are only qualified for certain entry-level positions in smaller facilities and earning a master's degree will provide you with greater employment options and faster career advancement. A degree in health administration provides the knowledge necessary to become a health services manager, though degrees in areas like health sciences, business administration, and public health are also acceptable. An appropriate degree program is one that combines health-related courses with courses in business.
</p><h3 id="section---LicensureAndCertification">Licensure and Certification</h3><p>Healthcare managers in nursing facilities typically need to be licensed, and licensure requirements often include completion of a recognized bachelor's program, a short-term training program and an exam. Managers in other facilities can pursue voluntary certification through organizations like the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management.
</p><h3 id="section---EmploymentAndSalaryInfo">Employment and Salary Info</h3><p>In May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, <i>www.bls.gov</i>) reported there were 480,700 people employed as medical and health services managers. The majority of them were employed in general hospitals, though a significant amount were also employed in physicians' offices and other facilities providing nursing, home health, and outpatient care. The BLS also reported that the average yearly salary for these medical and health service managers was $119,840 as of May 2021. Occupational growth of 28% was predicted by the BLS from 2021-2031.</p>
