Health Services Manager: Salary and Job Description
Written by: Hilbert College • Mar 19, 2024
Health Services Manager: Salary and Job Description ¶
Health services managers are part of the leadership teams that direct and oversee health care facilities such as hospitals, urgent care centers and clinics, or the individual departments within them. The role of health services managers can also vary significantly based on the size and structure of their facilities or departments.
Earning an advanced degree, such as a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with an emphasis on health administration, can provide aspiring health services managers with the skills to excel in this in-demand role. From values and ethics in public administration, to program planning and evaluation, an MPA can open the door to a diverse range of career opportunities.
What Does a Health Services Manager Do? ¶
A health services manager uses administrative and organizational skills to oversee health care facilities or their departments. Although no two health services manager positions are exactly the same, most commonly perform functions in several key areas on a daily basis.
- Personnel management: Health services managers may hire and train administrative and medical staff. In some cases, they may be responsible for scheduling, task distribution, performance reviews, coaching and disciplinary actions including termination when required.
- Budgeting and finance: This role also comes with financial responsibility. Health services managers work directly with accounting teams to maintain their organization’s financial health. They may be responsible for securing funding through grants or donors and developing budgets for one or more departments.
- Administration: Administration is another key area of specialization for health services managers. Administrative tasks can include inventory management, vendor and supplier management and recordkeeping.
- Business strategy: Health services managers may be responsible for developing and implementing departmental or organizational business strategies. Many tasks go into this, but they all strive to achieve one goal: ensuring their department or facility will remain profitable and sustainable into the future.
- Compliance: Health care is governed by several important regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which guarantees the privacy of patients’ information, as well as other local, state and federal laws. Health services managers work to ensure everyone in a facility complies with these regulations.
- Quality of care: One of the most important aspects of a health services manager’s role is ensuring the highest quality of care at all times. They may do this by implementing quality control procedures, collecting feedback from patients and visitors and analyzing facility or department data to look for areas of opportunity.
- Data management: Health services managers may be responsible for maintaining patient records and other health data that is collected by a health care organization.
Where Do Health Services Managers Work? ¶
Health services managers can work in a variety of settings, with the most common being hospitals, urgent care facilities and clinics. However, they may also work for nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, mental health organizations or government organizations, such as hospitals and clinics managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Very large facilities may hire health services managers to oversee a single department, such as an intensive or critical care unit, emergency department, or labor and delivery unit. The work environment has a direct impact on the average health services manager salary, as well. Overseeing an entire facility often comes with higher compensation, as opposed to the salary for managing a single department.
Health Services Manager Education and Skill Requirements ¶
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required for an entry-level health services manager role, especially if the candidate brings many years of experience. In these cases, work experience may substitute for graduate-level education. Otherwise, employers tend to look for candidates who have a master’s degree.
Some specific states or positions require health services managers to obtain licensure. In some situations, candidates must be licensed registered nurses (RNs) or social workers. Additionally, a few states require health services managers who work in nursing home administration to obtain state licensure. Candidates should contact their state’s licensing board to learn about possible requirements.
Health services managers develop many of the skills they need during their education and through on-the-job experience. Some essential skills include the following.
Communication ¶
Health services managers spend much of their time collaborating with others, including health care providers, board members and shareholders, other administrators and even lawyers. In this role, communication may take many forms, from in-person meetings to video calls, phone calls and written correspondence.
Business Administration ¶
Health services managers are responsible for ensuring a facility or department runs smoothly at all times, even during times of stress. Exceptional business administration and organizational skills are essential for coordinating countless daily activities and managing staff without sacrificing quality of care.
Technology ¶
Modern health care relies on several forms of technology, including computers and software programs. Health services managers should have excellent knowledge of the most common programs and technology used by health care organizations. In addition, health services managers must be aware of the laws and regulations that govern how sensitive data can be collected, stored and shared.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking ¶
Health services managers must be prepared to deal with a variety of challenges as they arise. Good problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are essential for mitigating risk and navigating complex challenges while delivering quality care.
Health Services Manager Salary and Job Growth ¶
The median annual health services manager salary was $104,830 as of May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those working in state, local and private hospitals earned more on average than those in nursing and other residential care facilities.
The BLS reports medical and health services managers ranked sixth among professions with the highest projected job growth between 2022 and 2032. They predict employment in this role will soar by 28% in this timeframe, representing about 54,700 new openings per year over the decade.
Develop the Skills for a Health Services Manager Career ¶
The health services manager role is a nonclinical position that has a powerful impact on health care and the way it is delivered. These individuals ensure health care facilities and the departments within them run smoothly and offer the best possible care to every patient.
The online Master of Public Administration degree program at Hilbert College Global provides students the skills and knowledge to join a hospital, urgent care facility, clinic or similar setting as a successful health services manager. The program offers a Health Administration concentration that covers all the important topics of public administration, along with coursework in the cultural, ethical, legal and management aspects of health care.
Learn more about how you can make a positive impact on the health care industry as a health services manager.
Recommended Readings
8 Public Administration Careers and Salaries
Crisis Management Plans and Public Administration
Sources:
Indeed, How To Become a Medical and Health Services Manager
Indeed, What Does a Medical and Health Services Manager Do?
Indeed, What Is a Health Services Manager (Plus Skills and Salary)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fastest Growing Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
