A healthcare administrator job description includes preparing work schedules for staff, budgeting, keeping patient records, and monitoring the budget as well.
Certainly, not everyone who works in a hospital deals with the direct treatment of patients, some work behind the scenes.
So do healthcare administrators; they work behind the scene to make sure patients, as well as staff, receive optimum satisfaction.
Since you are reading this guide on the job description of a healthcare administrator, I guess you are an aspiring healthcare administrator.
Or, you are an employer seeking a healthcare administrator job description template.
Well, the content of this article was written with aspiring healthcare administrators in mind.
But it can also be used by employers as a job description template.
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What does a Healthcare Administrator do?
Healthcare administrators run and coordinate activities that go on in healthcare organizations. They bring business administration skills and knowledge and apply them in the healthcare sector. This is done using proper healthcare terminologies and methods.
Therefore, they are required to have good knowledge of business management and also medical knowledge.
The healthcare administrator is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all hospital or healthcare facility activities.
They are responsible for creating staff schedules, keeping records of hospital supplies, and ensuring all staff adheres to health care rules and regulations.
We all believe that a healthcare organization’s success depends on the quality of healthcare providers and equipment; that plays a vital role.
But, the success of a healthcare organization also depends largely on the quality of the healthcare administrator in charge of managing activities.
Understanding your job description is one of the first steps to becoming a good healthcare administrator.
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What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Healthcare Administrator?
The duties and responsibilities of a healthcare administrator may vary depending on location, employer, and the size of the healthcare center or organization.
Here are the common duties and responsibilities commonly featured in a healthcare administrator job description:
1. Manage Healthcare Organizations
A healthcare administrator must manage the running of day-to-day activities in a hospital.
They ensure that all daily activities are in accordance with necessary rules, regulations, and policies.
2. Create a Staff Schedule
Healthcare administrators are also in charge of creating a realistic and workable schedule for staff.
They determine the number of staff who work per shift.
They also determine when nurses or other health care providers can go on long and short leaves or breaks.
3. Keep Patients Records
It is also a healthcare administrator’s duty and responsibility to keep patient records.
They also ensure that records are updated whenever need be.
Record keeping is important in case of future references.
4. Budgeting
Healthcare administrators work with the accounting department and stakeholders to create project budgets.
They also ensure the budget is followed strictly.
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5. Keep Record of Health Care Supplies
They are also in charge of purchasing and keeping records of all healthcare supplies.
These supplies must be available before available supplies are exhausted.
Some other duties and responsibilities of healthcare administrators commonly featured in their job description include;
- Act as liaison between board members and other employees
- They work with human resources to ensure applicants reach the required standard before employment.
- Suggest improvement of healthcare facilities and equipment to stakeholders.
- Ensure that all health care rules are adhered to.
- Develop and implement policies that would improve patient satisfaction.
- Contribute innovatively during meetings with board members, patients, and investors as well.
- Keep an updated database of all employees.
They also respond quickly to questions or complaints from physicians and nurses.
Also the, work as a team with all other employees to identify areas that need improvement.
It is important to note that the duties and responsibilities section is one of the most important sections in a healthcare administrator’s job description.
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What Qualifications do I need to become a Healthcare Administrator?
Healthcare administrators should have a degree in healthcare administration, human resource management, business administration or management, or any other related field.
Although not always mandatory, a master’s degree in health care administration, public health, public administration, or other related fields is preferred.
A bachelor’s degree may take about 3-4 years to complete, while a master’s degree takes about 2-3 years to complete successfully.
During formal education, prospective healthcare administrators should be taught most of the following:
- Human resources
- Health care information system
- Healthcare management and organization
- Business planning
- Health care law
Enrolling in an online health-related course will be beneficial for applicants who did not study health-related courses in college but would like a career in healthcare administration.
Because, as much as administrators mostly perform clerical and administrative tasks, doing it in a healthcare setting makes a huge difference.
In some states or countries, after completing a Master’s degree program, healthcare administrators also need to apply for a license to practice.
Obtaining this license may require completing training and/or passing an examination.
Just like every other job, employers look out for individuals with years of experience in healthcare administration.
Previous work experience as a secretary or an administrative assistant in any healthcare sector is a huge advantage.
Employers also look out for individuals with proficiency in computer systems and software.
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What are the Skills Healthcare Administrators should have?
Employers usually include the skills they expect prospective healthcare administrators to have in the job description.
These skills help an administrator perform his or her duties faster and more effectively.
Some of the skills usually featured in the job description of a healthcare administrator include
1. Communication Skills
A good healthcare administrator should possess good communication skills.
This skill is relevant when interacting with patients, healthcare providers, and other employees.
They should be able to communicate in writing and verbally the technical and non-technical aspects of the job.
2. Interpersonal Skills
It is also very important for a healthcare administrator to possess interpersonal skills.
They should be capable of developing good relationships with patients, healthcare providers, and board members.
Creating good relationships with other staff makes leading them much easier.
3. Leadership Skills
The role of a healthcare administrator is a leadership role in the sense that they supervise other staff.
Therefore, a good healthcare administrator should possess all the necessary leadership attributes.
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4. Budgeting
A healthcare administrator should also possess good budgeting skills.
They should be able to create workable budgets and strictly adhere to their skills.
5. Problem-solving Skills
Since nobody wishes or prays for an emergency, they arise.
A good healthcare administrator has to possess good problem-solving skills.
This skill is relevant for handling problems or emergencies that may arise during work in a healthcare organization.
The problem may be a medical crisis or even an administrative issue.
Whatever the care, a good healthcare administrator should be able to handle it.
Employers also look out for those with high team spirit and good knowledge of medical care.
Where do Healthcare Administrators Work?
Administrators work in practically all organizations, but healthcare administrators do not.
Because ‘health care’ in the title has changed a lot.
As the name implies, healthcare administrators work in healthcare organizations.
Some of the typical employers of healthcare administrators include:
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
- Minor medical facilities
- Assisted living facilities
- Rehabilitation homes
- Home healthcare organizations
- Physician’s offices.
The work environment and schedule greatly depend on the employer and the organization’s size.
How much do Healthcare Administrators make?
The salary of healthcare administrators in the United States ranges from $58,00 to $182,000 per year.
Entry-level healthcare administrators make over $58,000 per year.
This is quite high compared to so many other jobs.Â
On average, healthcare administrators make up to $99,000 per year, according to the bureau of labor statistics.
These figures may differ depending on your geographical location, experience, qualification, and employer.
Healthcare administrators in large organizations usually earn more than their colleagues who work for smaller healthcare facilities.
Also, more experience and qualified administrators earn more.
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What are some other Titles for Healthcare Administrators?
Not all healthcare administrator job descriptions use the title ‘healthcare administrator’.
Some other titles refer to the profession.
Some other titles for healthcare administrators include:
- Healthcare Executive
- Hospital admin
- Health care manager
- Nursing home manager
- Medical and health services manager
- Health administration manager
- Administrative manager
What should I Include in my Healthcare Administrator Resume?
When creating a resume, you may want to include every piece of information capable of convincing an employer that you are suitable for the job.
You should consider including information like your experience, qualification, and skills.
During an interview, do not fail to refer to this information.
Feel free to use this free but informative guide on the job description of a healthcare administrator.
Conclusion: Healthcare Administrator Job Description Guide
Individuals who love working in the hospital but don’t want to have any form of contact with blood should certainly consider this hospital administration job.
Now you have good details on the job description of a healthcare administrator, ensure that you use this information to support your goal.
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