How to become a Manager In Healthcare

A manager in healthcare is an administrative and managerial position in either public or private healthcare sectors. People in this position will be passionate about helping people with their health and an expert in medical systems, but will not carry out direct patient care.

For people who want to work in the medical field but also enjoy business roles, healthcare administration could be a great balance. Managers in healthcare will direct a certain medical facility; the type of which can vary from hospital administration, to nursing homes, to mental health facilities. 

A manager in healthcare’s role will include: 

• Overseeing the day to day operations of the workplace, including offering feedback and improvements when needed. 
• Creating or improving a strategy, and constantly using it to better services. 
• Managing and negotiating with all staff, both medical and non-medical, and being involved in the recruitment process of new staff. 
• Attending and hosting meetings and creating reports from these meetings. 
• Budgeting and purchasing equipment and other facilities for the workplace.
• Working with quality assurance and risk assurance. 

To become a manager in healthcare, candidates will need a degree; the two areas that are suitable for this role are healthcare subjects and business subjects. However, candidates will additionally need to prove aptitude in the area in which they do not have a degree as well. Undergraduates can take some jobs in healthcare management, but a masters in public health or health administration is needed to advance. 

Volunteering and work experience is very beneficial to finding work as a manager in healthcare, as it will help the candidate to learn about what issues are currently facing their local healthcare system. Taking extra courses for more education is also very helpful. 

People wanting to become a healthcare manager will need to have strong leadership, administrative, communication and management skills. They will be able to cope with pressure – as the nature of the job means that they will sometimes be met with resentment or even lobbying – and obviously have a deep understanding of the workings of business and healthcare.

Those taking this role must have some flexibility with their working hours; while it is generally an office position with 9-5 hours, and they may sometimes be required to work evenings and weekends or be on call. The work can be very challenging, but the healthcare management salary is rewarding.