Disclaimer: The information on our website is provided for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on our website for any purpose. Any reliance on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk and we are not liable for any damages or losses arising out of or resulting from your reliance on any information contained on our website.
A medical service manager plans, directs, and coordinates healthcare. Sometimes, they are referred to as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators. Additionally, they may also manage a medical practice, department, or manage an entire facility. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, and other healthcare workers. Next, watch a video on what a medical service manager does.
How to Become a Medical Service Manager
Medical and health service managers require at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration, nursing, health management, business administration, or public health administration. Additionally, these degrees focus on management and healthcare and combine business-related courses with courses in hospital organization, medical terminology, and health information systems.
Some employers prefer to hire a candidate holding a master’s degree with some experience in the areas of administrative or clinical roles in a hospital or other healthcare facility. Graduate programs last 2-3 years and may include up to 1 year of supervised administrative experience in a hospital or healthcare consulting setting. However, some people begin their careers as administrative assistants, financial clerks, or medical records and health information technicians within a healthcare office.
Job Description of a Medical Service Manager
The duties of medical and health service managers vary according to the facility or area of expertise in which they work. However, they typically have the job of working to improve efficiency and quality in delivering healthcare services. They ensure compliance with new laws and regulations. They would develop departmental objectives and goals and recruit, train, and supervise staff. He or she creates work schedules and work closely with physicians.He or she may also interact with insurance agents or patients. He or she can be found working in offices in hospitals, nursing homes, or group medical practices.
A medial and health services manager would manage the finances of the facility, prepare and monitor budgets and spending, while ensuring departments operate within allocated funds. He or she keeps and organizes records of the facilities services, communicate with members of the medical staff and department heads, and represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards. There are a few different types of medical and healthcare services managers, such as health information managers, nursing home administrators, assistant administrators, and clinical managers.
Medical Service Manager Career Video Transcript
In the complex and constantly changing business of providing health care, medical and health services managers keep health care facilities running efficiently so patients get the high-quality care they depend on. These managers may direct medical and health services for an entire facility such as clinics, nursing homes, hospitals or a group medical practice, or in a specific department like pediatrics or surgery in one of those facilities.
To ensure their organization complies with regulations and provides great care, managers must stay on top of developments in healthcare laws and technology. Medical and health services managers handle finances for their organization; balancing budgets, overseeing patient billing and setting fees. They also recruit and manage employees, communicate with medical staff, and coordinate with department heads. These professionals must keep records of services their facility provides and track how successful services are. They also are often the person most responsible for the security of patient records and data.
As key executives, they represent their facility on governing boards or may report to investors for privately-held facilities. Most managers work full-time hours and may need to work on evenings and weekends, or be available to go to work should an emergency arise. While most medical and health services managers have a bachelor’s degree, some positions require a master’s degree.
Article Citations
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers.
National Center for O*NET Development. 11-9111.00. O*NET OnLine.
The career video is in the public domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.