Healthcare managers oversee one specific department or area of the facility to align with the organization’s goals and policies. Management personnel manages all aspects of that specific department, such as the people and resources. For example, one hospital manager may work with the orthopedics department while another oversees the maternity wing. These administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of the department.
The specific responsibilities of managers can vary from one organization to the next. In some hospitals, managers are primarily concerned with staffing issues. They may focus on ensuring their department has enough qualified staff members on hand to meet the needs of patients. They may also work on matters related to professional development and continuing education for staff. They may also handle finances such as the department budget and expenditures.
To pursue healthcare or healthcare management, you can first earn your undergraduate degree in a healthcare-related field. This can help you to prepare yourself with foundational knowledge surrounding important topics in healthcare.
After your bachelor’s degree, it may be beneficial to pursue graduate-level studies by enrolling in an MBA with a focus in healthcare or health systems management. This program is a business degree with multiple courses that dive into health systems management concepts, such as healthcare policies, health systems finances and ethical issues in healthcare organizations. MBA students can expect a significant focus on business courses that cover topics such as managerial finance, accounting practices, operations management and leadership skills.