Managers in Health Care

Nature of work

Managers in health care oversee the delivery of health care services like diagnosis and treatment, nursing and therapy, within institutions, and in other settings, that provide health care services. Healthcare managers are responsible for creating and maintaining healthcare standards; monitoring healthcare quality; and planning and controlling budgets. They work for hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and other health care organizations. Managers in health care specialize in administering specific health care services like dietetics, clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, nursing, physiotherapy or surgery.

Job duties

Managers in health care:

• Oversee the delivery of health care services within a department of a health care institution, or in other settings where health care services are provided.
• Consult with boards of directors and senior managers to create and maintain standards for health care services.
• Develop evaluation systems to monitor the quality of health care given to patients.
• Monitor the use of diagnostic services, in-patient beds and facilities to ensure effective use of resources.
• Create and implement plans for new programs, special projects, new material and equipment purchases and future staffing levels in their department or organization.
• Plan and control departmental or organization budget.
• Represent the department or organization at meetings with government officials, the public, the media and other organizations.
• Supervise health care supervisors and professionals.
• Recruit health care staff of the department or organization.

Sample job titles

• chief of emergency medicine
• chief of medicine
• chief of pediatrics
• chief of staff - hospital
• chief of surgery
• clinical services manager
• dental health services administrator
• director of audiology and speech language pathology
• director of clinical medicine
• director of laboratory medicine
• director of psychology
• mental health residential care program manager
• nursing unit administrator
• pharmacy director

Skills

You need determination, confidence, and good managerial skills. You must have the ability to organize, negotiate, motivate, and communicate. You must be able to work well under pressure and make difficult decisions quickly. Good judgement and leadership skills are essential. You should also be capable of cooperating and collaborating with others.

Job requirements

• Administrators of departments like surgery, clinical medicine or laboratory medicine are usually required to have the education and training of a specialist physician.
• Administrators of other departments like nursing, dietetics or physiotherapy, are usually required to have the education and training of the medical professionals in that department.
• Certification in the relevant profession is needed.

Other considerations

Several years of experience in the related profession, including supervisory experience, are usually needed. There is little or no movement between departments in different medical specializations. Movement to senior management positions in health care services is possible with experience.

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