What Does a Health Care Manager Do?
Written by:
North Carolina Central University
• Oct 17, 2024
There’s more than one way to make a positive impact in the lives of patients. While some professionals prefer to take on clinical roles, providing direct evaluation and treatment, others opt for an administrative approach. For example, a health care manager plays an essential role in ensuring that their practice or facility runs smoothly, providing a high level of care for patients.
Exactly what does a health care manager do on a day-to-day basis? What duties and responsibilities are associated with this role? For those who are curious about pursuing an administrative position in the health care industry, it may be helpful to learn more about the specifications of this career path, as well as some of the requirements for formal education and training.
What Is a Health Care Manager?
The basic function of the health care manager is to support the daily operations of a health care facility. This may be a hospital, a large practice, a community clinic, or some other type of health facility.
The goal of this position is to coordinate clinical services, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients. In addition to seeking clinical excellence, the person in this role will seek to ensure that treatments are convenient and that the patient experience is frictionless. The manager also seeks to ensure that treatments are cost-effective for not only the patient but also the organization.
Managers in the health care sector rely on administrative skills and problem-solving abilities to ensure that their facilities are providing the range of services that patients need, in as smooth, targeted, and effective a manner as possible.
What Does a Health Care Manager Do Daily?
While the exact duties and responsibilities can vary from one position to the next, the typical job description for a health care manager includes the following:
- Maintaining effective budgets for their organizations or departments
- Staying abreast of health care laws and regulations and keeping their facilities compliant
- Securing records of all the treatments administered by their facilities
- Coordinating work schedules for all the providers who work on-site
- Recruiting, hiring, and training new team members
- Managing the clinical staff and ensuring open communication with them
Health Care Manager Salary and Job Outlook
Those who are interested in a health care administration career will naturally have questions about the salary range and career prospects associated with this role.
The median annual salary for a health care manager was approximately $110,680 as of August 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salary can vary based on several factors, including level of education and years of experience. The nature of the facility can also make a difference. For example, a long-term care administrator may earn a different salary from a hospital administrator.
The BLS projects 28% job growth for this field between 2022 and 2032, a rate that’s much higher than the average for all professions.
Becoming a Health Care Manager
Success in this position requires developing the right balance of skills and core competencies. Several steps are involved.
Step 1: Earn an Undergraduate Degree
To begin cultivating the necessary skills and the right subject-matter expertise, it’s important to pursue an undergraduate degree in a relevant field. This usually means health care administration, a promising degree path that can lead to a range of career possibilities (e.g., administrator, health care consultant). A degree in nursing or business administration is also acceptable.
Step 2: Seek Relevant Experience
On-the-job experience can further help to hone administrative skills. Any number of entry-level health care administration roles can be helpful, including front-office positions in a local practice or hospital. Working in an outpatient care facility or a clinic can also be very rewarding, both personally and professionally.
Step 3: Pursue Higher Education
While some health care manager positions only call for a bachelor’s-level degree, others will require a master’s degree in health care administration. Earning an advanced degree can help hone both administrative skills and knowledge of the industry, and potentially lead to positions of greater impact and authority.
Step 4: Focus on Essential Skills
There are a number of skills to focus on while pursuing training and experience in health care management. The most important ones include the following:
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Organizational
- Written and oral communication
Make an Impact Through Health Administration
Health care managers play a vital role in ensuring proficient clinical care. To prepare for a long-term impact in health administration, pursuing the right training is essential. Consider the online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Administration from NCCU Online.
Our degree focuses on the practical skills necessary for success in this field, including strategies and frameworks for ethical leadership. Find out more about the online BS in Health Administration and apply today.
Recommended Readings
What Is a Social and Community Service Manager?
Health Promotion Specialist: Overview and How to Become
Sources:
Indeed, Becoming a Manager in Health Care (With Job Examples)
Indeed, “How to Become a Medical and Health Services Manager”
Indeed, What Are Healthcare Manager Responsibilities? (Plus FAQs)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers