How to become A Health Service Manager

Every patient who has overcome a health challenge has nothing but praise for their healthcare providers. Assisting the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in playing their roles to perfection are Health Service Managers who connect the right people, expertise and resources at the right time and location to achieve optimal health outcomes.

• Health and Social Service Manager
• Medical and Health Services Manager
• Healthcare Administrator
• Healthcare Administrator
• Healthcare Manager

What do Health Service Managers do?

A Health Service Manager would typically need to:

• Supervise the everyday operations of an entire healthcare organisation or a specific unit/service area to improve the efficiency, quality and value of the healthcare services delivered
• Develop and implement policies based on government rules and regulations; keep up to date on new guidelines to ensure the healthcare facility's compliance with current laws
• Create work schedules to manage clinical, professional, clerical and administrative staff; develop goals and objectives for each department
• Oversee recruitment, selection, training and appraisal of the staff members from various departments
• Prepare budgets and monitor expenses of the entire facility and individual departments to ensure the organisation remains within funding limits; handle patient fees and billing
• Use computers to store information about the healthcare facility’s services, monitor & measure performance and plan & manage projects, current and new
• Communicate with the medical and non-medical staff of the various departments; liaise with persons from external organisations such as social services, voluntary groups or other groups from the private sector
• Keep track of service delivery agreements & contracts for the premises, including catering, cleaning, portering and security via subcontractors; plan and execute strategic changes to improve the healthcare organisation’s service delivery
• Handle corporate affairs such as attending meetings, writing reports, delivering presentations and organising clinical governance & audit; represent the investor at investor meetings or governing boards
• Buy and organise equipment and supplies such as computers

Health Service Managers divide their work between their office and different parts of a single or multiple healthcare facilities. Extensive travel may be required to attend meetings or to inspect auxiliary facilities.

Most Health Service Managers work full-time from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, although part-time jobs are a viable option. You may have to put in more than 40 hours a week to be on-call during evenings, weekends or peak hours in 24-7 healthcare settings.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Health Service Managers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, converting internships into full-time jobs and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Health Service Managers are generally employed by: 

• Hospitals
• Physician’s Offices
• Nursing & Residential Care Facilities
• Government Agencies
• Outpatient Care Centres

Healthcare associations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)  provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers.

Affiliated Health Service Managers may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them learn about the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs.

• Lack of work-life balance due to a heavy workload and the crucial need to stay abreast of continuously evolving health laws and procedures
• Stress due to likely exposure to infectious diseases and hazards and the outbreak of a pandemic
• Frustration and stress due to unexpected staff shortages

Many employers require prospective Health Service Managers to have some work experience in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or healthcare facility. 

Specific criteria may vary among employers but gaining work experience via an internship, volunteering or placements in a local hospital, doctor’s surgery, nursing home or mental health institute is highly recommended.

Besides demonstrating your commitment to service providers and potential employers, the experience will help you gain essential technical skills while allowing you to acclimatise to a professional working environment.

Reading about the profession, talking with a high school counsellor and interviewing or shadowing those who work in Health Service Management will also serve the purpose.

Some teaching hospitals even offer work experience in their health service departments to high school students keen on becoming Health Service Managers.

Health Service Managers typically need a bachelor’s degree in health service management, health administration, nursing, public policy or social services to enter the occupation. Educational requirements vary among employers and specific functions.

Recommended undergraduate programs that focus on management and healthcare include courses in health service management, accounting & budgeting, human resources administration, strategic planning, law & ethics, health economics and health information systems.

A master’s degree in health services management, medical information systems, healthcare marketing, finance for healthcare and healthcare policy would allow you to stand out in the job market.

Take classes in biology, business and mathematics while in high school to gain entry to relevant accredited programs.

Most employers do not require Health Service Managers to complete certification. However, voluntary certification demonstrates a Health Service Manager’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. It also increases the chances of career advancement. 

Certifications in healthcare risk management, healthcare finance, health information administration, health informatics & management and healthcare access are highly recommended. To obtain a license, Health Service Managers must have a bachelor’s degree and complete the required training program.

Experienced Health Service Managers with requisite professional qualifications and consistently high-performance levels typically advance into positions with increased pay and responsibility.

Your area of specialism, geographic mobility and ability to work in a community, hospital, policy-development or strategic-planning setting will determine your career path.

Specialisation in computers will make you eligible for the post of Computer and Information Systems Manager, responsible for the hospital’s health information systems.

This profession allows for a rapid career progression to a director or chief executive role within ten years of training and initial job placement. Earning professional qualifications in relevant specialist areas can facilitate promotion to such roles, including that of a Social and Community Manager or HR Manager.

Candidates with a masters in health services management or a related field and knowledge of healthcare IT systems have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments. 

Continuing education courses are also mandatory to renew one’s license.

Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Health Service Managers.

A master’s degree in addition to professional development courses in management, finance, human resources, healthcare policy or healthcare information & technology helps Health Service Managers update their skill set to advance to top executive positions easily.

A ‘Hidden’ Treasure

Health systems management is often termed a "hidden" health profession because of the relatively low-profile role of its professionals when compared to other professionals in the healthcare industry. However, mounting issues in balancing cost, access, and quality in hospitals and healthcare systems across developed countries have brought Health Service Managers’ role to the forefront.

Merits of the Profession

Health Service Management has the potential to earn a six-figure salary along with attractive perks. Job security is a given in this profession, due to which it is becoming increasingly popular worldwide because of its ability to improve the quality of patient care.

Tools of the Trade

Innovative cloud-computing technology enables Health Service Managers to deliver and access computing services and resources through online developmental platforms, databases, and analytics.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Health Service Managers use their knowledge and experience to improve the quality and efficacy of healthcare services. Since they are employed by both large and small organisations across various settings, seeking freelance opportunities is rather sensible.

Freelancing Health Service Managers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Health Service Manager, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

The long life expectancy of the Japanese (84.7 years) maybe because they get a doctor’s appointment within a day and visit the doctor more often than their European or North American counterparts.

Every thriving healthcare system has a Health Service Manager with the requisite organisational, legal and financial expertise, working behind the scenes. They ensure all healthcare providers can serve patients efficiently despite constantly evolving healthcare and insurance policies & regulations.

Put your heart, soul and mind into every task to prioritise the patients’ needs and keep the system running smoothly for other healthcare professionals.