May also be called: Clinical Directors; Directors of Health Services; Directors of Nursing; Health Care Administrators; Health Information Administrators; Hospital Directors; Medical Directors; Public Health Administrators
Specialties within this occupation include: Assisted Living and Senior Housing Managers; Charge Nurse Specialists; Histocompatibility Laboratory Directors; Home Health Directors; Infection Control Specialists; Long-Term Care Nurse Managers; Quality Assurance Specialists; Resident Assessment Specialists; Staff Development Specialists
When one thinks of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, the images of doctors making the rounds, nurses providing care to patients, and surgeons performing complex procedures invariably come to mind. However, Medical and Health Services Managers, also known as clinical directors or health care administrators, play a crucial role in the operation of hospitals and clinics as well. They plan, direct, organize, and manage the delivery of health care. These workers either supervise an entire facility or they specialize in managing a specific clinical department. Their responsibilities are varied and usually require the cooperation of assistant administrators and the medical and support staff. Medical and Health Services Managers must be prepared to handle the integration of health care delivery systems, technological innovations, a rigid regulatory environment, restructuring of work, and an increased focus on preventive care. They are expected to improve efficiency in health care facilities and the quality of the care provided. Health care administrators generally establish and implement policies, objectives, and procedures for their departments; evaluate personnel and work quality; conduct and administer fiscal operations; and coordinate activities with the medical staff and other managers. In addition, Clinical Managers have training or experience in a specific area and, accordingly, have more specific responsibilities than do generalists. Medical and Health Services Managers need a basic knowledge of computers and web-based applications. They often use accounting, analytical, categorization, data base user interface, document management, or health information software in their job. Medical and Health Services Managers can specialize in many different areas: Assisted-living and Senior Housing Managers coordinate the staff and activities of assisted-living or senior housing facilities. Charge Nurse Specialists supervise the operations of a particular department or care unit. Histocompatibility Laboratory Directors develop, implement, and interpret policies and protocols for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) laboratory. They coordinate technical operations within the laboratory including HLA typing, HLA antibody screening, and infectious disease testing for solid organ and tissue transplantation. Infection Control Specialists oversee staff habits of hand hygiene, monitor infection trends and threats, and ensure high-level sterilization of surgical instruments to prevent the spread of infections. Long-Term Care Nurse Managers direct the nursing staffs assigned to help people with both short-term, sub-acute episodes of care in addition to those patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities over an extended period of time.
Each task below is matched to a sample skill required to carry out the task.
Some Medical and Health Services Managers work in comfortable, private offices, while others share space with other staff. Most Managers work long or unusual hours, but some do work a regular 40-hour week. Because nursing care facilities and hospitals operate around the clock, Managers also may be called at all hours to deal with problems. They also travel to attend meetings or inspect satellite facilities. As this is a management-level position, there has been little or no unionization for Medical and Health Services Managers.
The job of Medical and Health Services Manager will appeal to those who enjoy starting up and carrying out projects, persuading and leading people, and making decisions. This occupation will satisfy those who enjoy activities that frequently involve dealing with business. The job of Medical and Health Services Manager will also appeal to those who like to provide a service to others.
The median wage in 2021 for Medical and Health Services Managers in California was $132,121 annually, or $63.52 hourly. The median wage for Medical and Health Services Managers in San Benito and Santa Clara Counties was $134,933 annually, or $64.87 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
Most Medical and Health Services Managers receive excellent benefits. Benefit packages usually include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as retirement plans, vacation, and sick leave. Some employers also offer life and disability insurance, tuition assistance, and a paid time-off bank.
The job outlook for prospective Medical and Health Services Managers is bright. Employment within this occupation is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years, especially for applicants with work experience in health care and strong management skills. Additional demand for Medical and Health Services Managers will be created by the need to oversee the ongoing computerization of patient records, to comply with changing regulations, and to recruit workers and increase employee retention. The home health care services and community care facility for the elderly industries are projected to be the areas of highest job growth for Medical and Health Services Managers.
In California, the number of Medical and Health Services Managers is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Medical and Health Services Managers are expected to increase by 23.5 percent, or 9,600 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
In San Benito and Santa Clara Counties, the number of Medical and Health Services Managers is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Medical and Health Services Managers are expected to increase by 18.7 percent, or 390 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
A master’s degree in health services administration, health sciences, public health, public administration, or business administration is the standard credential for most generalist positions in this field. Master's candidates in these programs usually receive the opportunity for graduate-level work experience in the form of an internship. However, a bachelor’s degree is adequate for some entry-level positions in smaller facilities, at the departmental level within health care organizations, and in health information management.
Some employers of Medical and Health Services Managers will accept those applicants with extensive work experience in the medical field (usually five to seven years) and prior management experience (three to five years), along with a bachelor's degree.
High school students interested in becoming a Medical and Health Services Manager should take courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, English, economics, and computers. Those students who take electives such as business administration, accounting, psychology, and public speaking will gain knowledge and skills essential to this occupation.
California offers Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes for students interested in health care, health informatics, and medical technology. One such course is titled Medical Occupations. To find an ROP program near you, go to the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs Web site at www.carocp.org/carocps.html.
Most Medical and Health Services Managers do not have to pass licensure examinations in the majority of management areas. However, the State of California does require histocompatibility laboratory directors and nursing care facility administrators to have a license. Contact the agency that issues the license for additional information.Click on the license title below for details.
There are two ways to search for training information at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/resources/training-and-apprenticeships.html
Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work.
The largest industries employing Medical and Health Services Managers are as follows:
Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. Other ways include browsing Internet job banks and help wanted ads, attending job fairs, using college job placement centers, and becoming a member of a health care management organization. Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBSSM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. (requires Adobe Reader).
You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Medical and Health Services Managers.
To locate a list of employers in your area, use "Find Employers" on the LaborMarketInfo Web site at http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/aspdotnet/databrowsing/empMain.aspx?menuChoice=emp
Medical and Health Services Managers advance by moving into more responsible and higher-paying positions, such as associate administrator, department head, or chief executive officer, or by moving to larger facilities and systems. Some experienced Managers also may become consultants or professors of health care management.
Below is a list of occupations related to Medical and Health Services Managers.
These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.
The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.
Printed on Saturday, May 21, 2022