What Types of Leadership Roles are Offered in Healthcare?
I want to familiarize myself with the types leadership roles within healthcare so I can have a better understanding of what my options are, outside of the obvious (ex: CEO). I'm specifically interested in hospital administration, but I'm open to all types of leadership roles.
#healthcare #medicine #leadership-roles #hospital-administration
5 answers
Doc’s Answer
Amanda health administrators manage operations at health care facilities. In smaller settings, they may be hands-on medical office managers, directly involved in daily administrative functions. In larger settings, such as hospitals, they may be top-level executives reporting directly to a governing board and focusing on broader issues, such as department coordination, facilities planning and community relations, while overseeing a team of managers who handle daily operations. Health administrators may also specialize in areas in which they have clinical experience. Careers in health administration require strong management and leadership abilities, as well as analytical and communication skills. Health administrators must be able to resolve issues, supervise staffs and ensure that departments work well together. They must be able to interact with medical personnel and administrative staff, as well as represent the facility to external agencies and communities. They must be able to clarify goals, motivate staff, present ideas and preside over meetings. Depending on the type of facility they work in, health administrators may also need clinical experience in specialized fields, such as nursing, long-term care or mental health. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 32% increase in jobs for medical and health services managers between 2020 and 2030. Hospital facilities tend to have large administrative staffs, and many entry-level applicants with master's degrees often start out as assistant department heads or assistant administrators. The average Health Administrator salary is $93,900 as of November 25, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $82,000 and $109,900. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Hope this was helpful Amanda
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Jasmine’s Answer
Keshaa’s Answer
Head of Quality Departments
Environmental services
Facilities
Many different parts
Nicole’s Answer
I agree with the answers above and have a bit more perspective, from the position of my role as a Senior Strategy Manager for CVS Health. My background is actually in finance, accounting, marketing and strategy. You can rise to a leadership position within healthcare by taking one of these paths. For example, at CVS we have a Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Customer Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and numerous Directors, Senior Directors, and Vice Presidents who can be people with a clinical/health background or more of a business background (one of my team members was actually an architect in the past!)
I'll suggest a couple of next steps that might be helpful to you.
All the best to you, Amanda.
-Niki
Nicole recommends the following next steps:
Katie’s Answer
There are a variety of Leadership Opportunities within the ever broadening healthcare industry. There are numerous companies that are responsible for the other facets of healthcare that happen outside of the 4 walls of an in-patient Hospital. Think about large independent medical practices (Primary Care, Ob-Gyn, Urology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, etc.), companies that handle diagnostics (labs, radiology, etc.), companies that handle therapies (medical devices, pharma, etc.), Insurance companies (and brokers), Urgent Care Facilities, Surgery Center's, Birthing Centers, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Rehabilitation Centers, and now the ever popular Telemedicine.
I would agree that most administrative positions will likely request either an MHA or MBA, however the route that you chose to climb into leadership would be a more determining factor. Jobs in Healthcare Leadership are coveted, be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up. There is a great deal of value in working your way up; learning the nuances of the business sector that you've chosen, the pitfalls, and potentially even pivoting into a different sector that you find more intriguing!
Start to look for opportunities that are in line with your interests in the healthcare industry. For example, if you are interested in surgery, look for opportunities with Medical Device Companies, Ambulatory Surgery Center Companies, and specialty medical practices. That will get you in the door and give you a front row seat into how that subset of healthcare operates.
Good Luck! Be patient, these jobs are all very competitive, if you have your heart set on working in healthcare, be persistent and diligent!