Medical and Health Service Manager

What is a Medical and Health Services Manager? 

Medical and health services managers are executive-level employees who are responsible for overseeing medical and health services. Alternate job titles for this position include healthcare executives or healthcare administrators. These executives may manage healthcare facilities, departments or clinical areas within facilities or health systems, individual medical practices or medical groups/networks. 

Where Do They Work? 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical and health services managers may work on a team with other healthcare providers, such as licensed practical nurses and medical assistants. Most medical and health services managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Evening or weekend work may be required in healthcare settings that operate around the clock, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Medical and health services managers may need to be on call in case of emergencies. 

What Are The Job Responsibilities Of Medical And Health Services Managers? 

Job responsibilities vary to some degree from one employment setting to another. That being said, day-to-day responsibilities in these positions may include: 

• Improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare service delivery 
• Ensuring that facilities/practices comply with current and emerging laws and regulations 
• Developing goals, objectives and policies for their facilities, practices or departments 
• Recruiting, training, scheduling and supervising staff 
• Managing financial matters in the workplace, such as patient fees and billing, and/or facility/department/practice/budgets and spending, for example. 
• Attending investor meetings and board meetings 
• Management of business 
• Management of patient data and records 
• Communicate with administrative and medical staff and facilitate communication between these departments. 

What is the career outlook for this position? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.  

About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.  

As the large baby-boom population enters older age groups, which typically experience more health problems, there should be increased demand for healthcare services. This means there will be greater need for physicians and other healthcare workers, medical procedures, and healthcare facilities, and therefore greater need for managers to organize and oversee medical information and healthcare staff. These managers are important for improving care coordination, which is key in team-based care. 

In addition, widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) will continue to create demand for managers with knowledge of health information technology (IT) and informatics systems. Medical and health services managers will be needed to organize, oversee, and integrate these records across areas of the healthcare industry.  

Additional Requirements to become a Medical and Health Services Manager 

Graduates of the Health Services Administration bachelor degree program who wish to pursue positions as Medical and Health Services Managers should know that healthcare facilities and clinical sites generally require employees to undergo background checks and drug testing as part of the hiring process. Some states and employers require potential Medical and Health Services Managers to have some work experience in healthcare – either in a clinical or administrative capacity – to qualify for these positions. Some states require administrators in nursing facilities and assisted living centers to complete a state-approved training program, and/or be licensed by the state or pass a national licensing exam. Lastly, while getting into the field requires a bachelor degree, advancing to top-level executive positions as a Medical and Health Services manager in many organizations may require continuing your education in a master’s degree program. 

The college’s programs are education programs and the college makes no representations regarding whether a particular program will qualify a graduate for employment in any specific position, is necessary for attaining any such position, or whether potential employers may require additional training, certification or education.  Before enrolling in a program, applicants are encouraged to consult with any relevant agency or employer with which he/she may wish to seek employment for a complete list of position requirements and pre-requisites. 

For more information on the Health Services Administration field, please visit the Healthcare Degrees section on our blog. There you will find further insights on earning the Health Services Administration Bachelor’s degree and building a career in this field. Exploring our blog and website will also yield more specific information on just what Bryant & Stratton College has to offer to aid you in planning your career path and building your career.