Medical And Health Services Managers: Career Opportunities

h services managers and medical managersequipment and administer large staffs (depending
coordinate, supervise, plan and direct health careon the facility one works at),
services delivery. They may establish and•understand finance and information
implement policies, objectives, and procedures forsystems and be able to interpret data,
their departments; evaluate personnel and work;•have strong leadership abilities,
develop reports and budgets; and coordinate•Have tact, diplomacy, flexibility, and
activities with other managers. hey also may helpcommunication skills.
formulate business strategies and coordinateEmployment of medical and health services
day-to-day business.managers is expected to grow faster than
There are about 250,000 medical and healthaverage. If you have work experience in the
services managers in the U.S. Almost half work inhealth care field and strong business and
private hospitals, in offices of physicians or inmanagement skills you should have the best
nursing care facilities. The rest work mostly inopportunities.
home health care services, Federal GovernmentHow Much Do Medical and Health Hervices
health care facilities, ambulatory facilities,Hanagers Earn?
outpatient care centers, insurance carriers, andMedian annual earnings of medical and health
community care facilities for the elderly.services managers were $67,430 in May 2004.
For general work in this field, a master's degree inHalf of the managers earned between $52,530
health services administration, long-term careand $88,210. The lowest salaries were less than
administration, health sciences, public health, public$41,450, and the highest were more than
administration, or business administration is normal.$117,990.
A bachelor's degree is adequate for someA Day in a Medical and Health Hervices Manager's
positions. Physicians' offices and some otherLife:
facilities may substitute on-the-job experience for•On a typical day a Medical and health
formal education.services manager will:
Bachelor's and post-graduate degree programs in•direct activities in clinical areas such as
health administration are offered by colleges;nursing, surgery, therapy, medical records, or
universities; and schools of public health, medicine,health information,
allied health, public administration, and business•manage personnel, finances, facility
administration. In 2005, 70 schools had accreditedoperations, and admissions,
programs up to the master's degree in health•evaluate personnel and work; develop
services administration. As one seeks higherreports and budgets; and coordinate activities with
positions, they will need adequate experience andother managers,
perhaps an advanced degree.•maintain and keep the security of all
All States and the District of Columbia requirepatient records.
nursing care facility administrators to have a•coordinate day-to-day business of the
bachelor's degree, pass a licensing examination,clinic,
complete a State-approved training program, and•work closely with physicians on many
pursue continuing education. Some States alsodetails,
require licenses for administrators in assisted living•oversee personnel matters, billing and
facilities. Health information managers require acollection, budgeting, planning, equipment outlays,
bachelor's degree from an accredited programand patient flow,
and a Registered Health Information Administrator•Engage in community outreach and
(RHIA) certification from the American Healthpreventive care.
Information Management Association. A license isI hope this article gives you a good idea of what
not required in other areas of medical and healthis involved in the career of a Medical and Health
services management.Services Manager. Health care is the largest
Medical and health services managers must beindustry in the world. In the U.S. about 14 million
able to:people work in the health care field. More new
•work long hours,wage and salary jobs are in health care than in
•spend considerable time walking, toany other industry. (Some figures from Bureau of
consult with co-workers,Labor Statistics.
•manage expensive facilities and