Health care management
Health care managers and administrators keep our hospitals and doctor’s offices running on all cylinders, providing the support and direction that ensures patients receive the best care. These behind-the-scenes difference-makers play a pivotal role in developing new medical products and services that empower health care providers, enhance treatment options, and serve local communities.
555,500
health care managers
will be employed by 2029
$100,980
average salary
for medical and health services managers*
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Health care management definition
Health care management encompasses the efforts involved in planning, directing, and coordinating nonclinical activities within health care systems, organizations, and networks. This is a very focused branch of management that requires specific knowledge of health care operations and technology along with soft skills such as the ability to motivate team members, collaborate with multiple stakeholders, and proactively implement needed changes.
Health care management duties
The responsibilities of health care managers and administrators vary depending on the type of health care setting and the size of the organization, but some of the most common include:
- Developing organizational goals and objectives
- Recruiting, training, and supervising medical staff
- Ensuring compliance with patient privacy laws and other pertinent federal, state, and local regulations
- Creating work schedules
- Managing health informatics, including electronic health records (EHRs)
- Monitoring and/or managing facility finances and budgets
- Communicating with medical staff, department heads, investors, and/or governing boards
- Identifying ways to improve health care services and increase operational efficiency
COMMUNICATION
In this line of work, you'll interact with people in person, by phone, and in writing. One of the most essential health care administration skills is being able to communicate clearly and with concern and consideration for others.
TEAMWORK
The success of any hospital or health care institution hinges on the ability of non-clinical staff and administrators to work together with doctors, nurses, technicians, and specialists to set a high standard of medical care.
FLEXIBILITY
Health care settings can be highly unpredictable. A natural disaster, pandemic, or other type of emergency could force you to switch gears at a moment's notice. The willingness to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances is paramount to achieving success in health care management.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
When life hangs in the balance, stress can take a toll on health care systems and providers. You must be able to act quickly in high-pressure situations while maintaining composure and professionalism.
TIME MANAGEMENT
As a health care administrator, you must use your best judgment to delegate tasks to team members and avoid taking on too much work individually.
DECISION-MAKING
Although administrators and managers do not provide clinical care, they make important decisions every day that affect patients’ health and wellness. In this type of role, you may be asked to examine large amounts of data to determine the appropriate next steps. At other times, you may need to strategize an appropriate course of action based on limited information, particularly in the case of an unforeseen emergency.
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Clinical management
Clinical managers and pharmaceutical project managers specialize in various aspects of the medical field such as stem cell research, diagnostic products, and he development of medical devices. They are typically employed by pharmaceutical companies and are responsible for supervising clinical trials to ensure efficacy and accuracy. Clinical managers may also supervise the financial aspects of trials, monitoring the use of government aid or grants and keeping tabs on trial-related expenses.
Health care consulting
Health care consultants can work for an agency or be self-employed. They may also work with agencies and organizations on specific training programs for their employees.
Medical entrepreneurship
Starting your own health-related business can be both a fulfilling and lucrative option. Biologics and emerging technologies in the medical industry have given rise to a host of successful companies that have developed new treatments and devices in order to improve research capabilities and find cures for medical conditions such as cancer and AIDS.
Nursing home management
Nursing home managers and directors supervise the medical care, treatment, social activities, nutritional standards, and financial operations of their facility and help ensure that it is well run, safe, and provides a caring, stable environment for the elderly.
Health insurance underwriting management
Insurance underwriting managers recruit and train staff members, develop insurance agency objectives and budgets, manage growth and profits, and make decisions regarding insurance eligibility.
Academia
Those who study health care management and acquire enough on-the-job experience can find work as an assistant professor or health care administration professor. In this role, you could focus on a specific aspect of health care management — such as information technology, health care law, or human resources — or teach courses covering a range of topics.
Emergency management
Emergency management staff help communities, businesses, and individuals prevent health care emergencies and respond effectively to natural disasters. They coordinate with rescue groups, government organizations, and law enforcement officials to distribute food and water, administer medical care, provide emergency shelter, and more.
Health care administrators and managers are in high demand. Employment of medical and health services managers will increase 32% between 2019 and 2029, which is eight times the average for all other occupations.
Health care management offers a range of fields for those with the right skills and background to choose from, including:
- Hospital management
- Clinical management
- Health care consulting
- Nursing home management
- Insurance underwriting management
- Teaching and academic research
- Emergency management
Here’s a brief look at where the industry is headed based on research conducted by Burning Glass Technologies:
Hybrid skills in high demand
Specialized health care managers are in high demand and low supply. It’s often difficult for employers to fill health-related administrative and managerial roles with the right candidates — those with specialized skills and advanced education. The data indicates that filling some positions can take nearly two months.
No matter what area of health care management you may be interested in, new technology is being implemented that will continue to shape the future of the industry. Those willing to adapt will not only stay relevant in the health care field but also enhance their marketability to potential employers.
Emergence of sales and marketing tools
While Microsoft Office remains the most widely used software suite for health care administrators and managers, sales and marketing tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Marketo are gaining popularity. In our increasingly interconnected society, these tools are helping health care organizations to enhance patient engagement, gain clearer insights into patients’ needs and concerns, and develop innovative ways to tackle modern health care challenges.
Automation of certain administrative processes
As with several other areas of work, health care functions will become more and more automated. The automation of basic tasks in health care management is helping to improve the patient experience, reduce costs, and enhance productivity. This automation trend is freeing up more time for managers to focus on the interpersonal aspects of their job.
Top 10 skills in health care management today
In the health care management industry, 60% of the fastest-growing skills are related to some form of software or IT knowledge, while 30% require employee relations and management competence.
Here are the top 10 skills that will see the highest projected growth:
Skill Cluster |
Projected Posting Growth (2018-2023) |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding | 117% |
| Talent management | 83% |
| Enterprise resource planning (ERP) | 75% |
| Computer and information technology industry knowledge | 60% |
| Employee relations | 57% |
| Employee training | 56% |
| Advanced Microsoft Excel | 52% |
| Microsoft Office and productivity tools | 48% |
| Human resource management systems | 46% |
| Budget management | 41% |
Source: Burning Glass Occupational Insights, 2019
Outlook for new graduates
If you are looking for a rewarding career that allows you to combine your business sense with your empathy for others, an education in health care management should align well with your abilities. But it can do more than that by increasing your value in the workforce.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- 133,200 new jobs will be created in medical and health service management between 2019 and 2029
- As baby boomers reach retirement age and average life expectancy increases, there will be an increased need for health care organizations and the people who manage them
- Individuals who have a master’s degree and specific knowledge of health care IT systems will likely have the best career prospects
