Medical and Health Services Managers

Industry Basics:

Health care service is booming as one of the largest industries with more than 545,000 establishments across the country. Hospitals, offices of physicians, dentists and other health practitioners, home health services, resident care centers, outpatient centers, diagnostic laboratories and mobile health care services are all part of the health service industry. Medical and Health Services Managers are required for planning, organizing, supervising and coordinating the delivery of medical services from health practitioners to patients.

Medical and Health Services Managers ensure organized daily operations. A small group of physicians may require a single administrator to take care of all administration issues whereas a larger enterprise with 40-50 physicians may require an administration head with several assistants in different areas. Technology and advanced computer software helps medical and health service managers input data, organize work and generate reports for the management of a medical enterprise.

Industry Outlook:

Job opportunities in this sector are expected to grow faster than the average growth of all industries in U.S. Growth in job opportunities for medical and health managers will most likely take place in offices of health practitioners, home health care services, general medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care centers, emergency, information management systems, managed care contract negotiations, and physician recruiting.

Experience and educational qualifications in Business and Management will be sought as additional qualifications for high paying Medical and Health Manager jobs.

Designation and Roles:

The key designations and roles held by medical and health managers are:

• Administrator: undertake activities such as: finance, personnel and facilitating daily operation.
• Clinical Managers: ensure the establishment and implementation of policies, objectives, and procedures for specific departments. They may also evaluate personnel, coordinate activities with other managers, generate reports and develop budgets.
• Health Information Managers: They are responsible for maintaining electronic patient records securely under Federal Government rules and regulations

Skill or Education Required:

The qualifications suitable to the job are:

• A bachelor’s degree or
• A master’s degree in health services administration, long-term care administration, health sciences, public health, public administration, or business administration

A bachelor’s degree and a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification from the American Health Information Management Association is required for Health Information Managers.

The key skills that are required are:

• Data Interpretation
• Decision Making and
• Communication Skills

Remuneration:

• The average annual earnings (median value) of medical and health services managers were $67,430 in May 2004.
• The highest 10 percent earned more than $117,990.
• The middle 50 percent earned between $52,530 and $88,210.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,450

Conclusion:

• Health care service is booming as one of the largest industries with more than 545,000 establishments across the country
• Job opportunities in this sector are expected to grow faster than the average growth of all industries in U.S.
• A bachelor’s degree is a basic required qualification at entry level.
• The average annual earnings (median value) of medical and health services managers were $67,430 in May 2004.