In the complex and constantly changing business of providing health care, medical and health services managers keep health care facilities running efficiently so patients get the high quality care they depend on. These managers may direct medical and health services for an entire facility such as clinics, nursing home, hospitals or a group medical practice, or in a specific department like pediatrics or surgery in one of those facilities. To ensure their organization complies with regulations, and provides great care, managers must stay on top of developments in healthcare laws and technology. Medical and health services managers handle finances for their organization; balancing budgets, overseeing patient billing and setting fees. They also recruit and manage employees, communicate with medical staff, and coordinate with department heads. These professionals must keep records of services their facility provides and track how successful services are. They also are often the person most responsible for the security of patient records and data. As key executives, they represent their facility on governing boards or may report to investors for privately-held facilities. Most managers work full-time hours, and may need to work on evenings and weekends, or be available to go to work should an emergency arise. While most medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree, some positions require a master's degree.
What they do:
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
On the job, you would:
Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
Business
management
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Basic Skills
talking to others
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
understanding people's reactions
bringing people together to solve differences
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
notice when problems happen
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Cooperation
Leadership
Dependability
Adaptability/Flexibility
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Medical software
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Epic Systems
Data base user interface and query software
Blackboard software
Yardi software
Analytical or scientific software
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
bachelor's degree or master's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.