Health Service Manager Responsibilities

Health service managers are experienced professionals in the field of health and health care. Health care industry is a critical field which needs a specialized care and service for the smooth running of all medical functions and operations. It aims to meet the health needs of the country and its people. Health service manager responsibilities take care of such needs and also plan, direct and oversee the delivery of the health needs of the people and improve the efficiency of the health care facilities. These professionals may work for hospitals, public health homes, nursing homes, health care agencies, insurance companies, or any other health administration organization.

A health service manager has the crucial role of maintaining a balance between providing proper health care to the needful and the overall cost and profitability of the facility. The job responsibilities may involve overseeing the entire health care facility where he/she is working or a particular department that he/she has been designated to. The role basically differs according to the level of experience in the health care industry and managerial skills.

A health service manager must be proficient in managing the regular functions, operations, business and other medical issues of a healthcare facility. He/she is also responsible for handling all members associated with it viz., the workers, professionals, medical staff, visitors, vendors, etc. They must have good knowledge of medical technologies, regulatory issues, health regulations, etc., in order to perform his/her job in accordance with the organization's goal and objectives.

Health service manager is an interesting and hardworking job profile. One should be aware of the roles and responsibilities of such a professional before applying for this position. This will help them to perform their duties expediently in this field. The key responsibilities and other qualifications have been discussed below in the article.

Key Responsibilities of a Health Service Manager

Provide support to the health needs of the medical facility, organization and the needful people at large.
Oversee the delivery of regular health care system and processes.
Plan and coordinate the multi-discipline functions of the facility based on the objectives and needs.
Manage the functions and operational duties of the entire medical facility/organization or of department/s.
Evaluate and implement new policies and procedures to improve the efficiency of the health care.
Supervise, oversee and evaluate the team's work performance and other internal control functions.
Prepare operating and capital budget and cost estimates for purchase of equipment and other running cost.
Review profitability chart and projections for the coming years.
Work in coordination with all departments and its employees, doctors, nurses, patients, etc.
Assist the human resource and finance department to carry out their specific responsibilities.
Monitor the delivery of services with perfection and timeliness.
Involve in periodic meetings with the doctors, nurses, pathologists, and other care givers to take a report of the work progress, get feedback, and know the immediate requirements.
Conduct meetings with the departments and medical staff, including health care workers to communicate the latest changes in policies, procedures, or any new trends in the industry or facility.
Conduct training programs for junior service coordinators, administrators, or the related field staff.
Manage emergency and crisis situations effectively
Make reports and briefs to present them to the higher authorities
Work in adherence to the organization's standards, practices and policies, along with the government regulations and standards.

Non- Educational Qualifications

Knowledge of health care and health care industry
Strong oral and written communication skills
Excellent organizational, planning and management skills
Competent and goal-oriented with experience in health care industry and health care management
Excellent leadership and analytical skills
Ability to assess and predict potential risks and recommend essential remedial measures
Aware of new government regulation and standards
Knowledge of standard operating procedures and good management practices
Ability to handle high stressed, emergency and fast paced environment
Independent approach plus a self-motivated team player with excellent problem solving skills
Sound knowledge of financial analysis and accounting
Knowledge of computers and various software applications

Educational Qualification and Experience

A health service manager must have a master's degree in health service administration, public health, or the related field. Holding a post graduate degree or doctoral degree in health service administration, finance administration or business administration will add more value to the position.

Some employers from the small scale set-ups may also accept a bachelor's degree in the related field. A bachelor's degree will also suffice an entry level employee's eligibility criteria. In some areas of employment, certifications are mandatory from accredited institutes like the Registered Health Information Administer or the American Health Information Management Association.

Prior work experience proves to be helpful in getting a job in this position.

Earning Potential

Earning of the health service managers depend on the type of facility they are working for and their level of skills, experience and responsibilities. The average earning potential of such a professional is between $32,036 and $95,634, according to Payscale July 2012 survey.

Work Conditions

A health service manager works full-time in offices of health care facilities (hospital, nursing homes, clinics, etc). The job may require irregular hours of work during evening, weekends or overnight due to emergency situations, work load and critical medical duties.

Career Outlook

With the growth of population and advanced technologies, the demand for medical services is ever increasing. This in turn is giving rise to the demand of medical providers, practitioners and other workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it has been projected that the employment of medical and health services managers will grow up to 22 percent by 2020. Thus, there is ample amount of job opportunities in the market.

In summary, we may conclude that health service manager responsibilities depend on the facility or the area of specialization in which they work. With sharp management skills and knowledge expertise, these managers take care of the health care needs in an effective way.