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Six Tips To Becoming a Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare managers, also known as healthcare administrators or healthcare executives, have a lot of responsibilities and demands that come with their job. This can lead to mismanagement and poor business choices if an administrator gets overwhelmed or does not possess the skills to maintain organization and order of duties. Below are some skills and tips on how to be a better healthcare manager.

1. Be transparent and accountable.

A lot of a healthcare administrator’s success depends on relationships with others, whether it is medical professionals in the facility, the public who become patients or administrators and board members scrutinizing policies, procedures and decisions. To build trust and rapport, a healthcare manager must be transparent and honest, never withholding ideas or intentions. Also take accountability for mistakes or poor policy making.

2. Teamwork.

While a healthcare administrator or manager basic function is to supervise and oversee the operations of a medical facility, they most definitely cannot do it all on their own. Healthcare managers must rely on department heads and supervisors to relay new procedures or policies, as well as stay up-to-date on best medical practices and advances in technology. Each department and professional has their own are of expertise and collaboration keeps everyone informed and educated and leads to smooth operation. Being able to trust staff and other department heads to ensure operations in each area are running smoothly will allow the healthcare manager to focus on other tasks related to the job.

3. Time management.

With so many responsibilities spread among different aspects, such as meeting with administrators, fundraising in the public, or attending seminars, time management is a must to ensure deadlines are met, procedures are up-to-date and employees and patients are satisfied with their experience.

4. Hire quality employees who want to enact change.

Healthcare managers generally hire clerical, management and medical staff for facilities. Hiring staff with quality and positive experience, as well as staff who are open to change and providing the best quality, overall care is very important in running a smooth operation and will help keep emergencies and problematic issues from arising with staff and following policies and procedure set in place.

5. Lead by example.

Get involved with staff and day to day activities, don’t just stay in your office. Making your presence known not only builds positive relationships, but allows staff to become more comfortable, resulting in open communication and better working relationships. Happy staff often results in happier patients and fewer toxic issues from arising in the work place.

6. Stay informed and up-to-date.

A good healthcare manager will attend trainings and conferences to keep informed on the latest medical advances available, as well as new laws and regulations facilities must follow. Healthcare managers are responsible for ensure any changes are implemented in their facility and that their staff are trained with latest practices and technology.

Finally, the best way to achieve all of the goals listed above is to improve and expand your education. Take some time to check out the healthcare administration schools below, and contact them to see if there are classes, degree programs, or health admin certificate options for you.

The more you know, the better prepared you are to lead in healthcare.