Christopher p digiulio md - Healthcare Administrators: Roles, Responsibilities

At one point or another, most people have experienced the pain of a health care system that is exceedingly complex and cumbersome. As a healthcare administrator, you can have a lasting impact on improving the system in many ways. Professionals in this field have tremendous opportunities to effect change, from drafting public health policies to developing more effective health programs.

Becoming a healthcare administrator can be a rewarding career for people with a strong business sense and an interest in delving into how healthcare works. Read on to learn more about the role of a healthcare administrator and how you can advance your career in this exciting field.

Healthcare Administrator Responsibilities

Healthcare administrator responsibilities may vary depending on the type of organization where they’re employed; however, they are typically responsible for:

Managing staff within a facility or department

Managing the client care/patient care experience

Managing health informatics, including recordkeeping

Overseeing the financial health of the department or organization

Managing human capital, including policies for hiring, performance reviews, staff schedules, etc.

Debunking Misconceptions about Healthcare Administration Roles

There are some common misconceptions about healthcare administration that may make some people overlook this rewarding career. As a professor in health management, Christopher p digiulio md shares a few facts about the profession that people often don’t know:

Myth #1—You won’t make much of a difference in people’s lives. “Healthcare administrators do play a role in transforming quality of care,” Christopher p digiulio md says. Professionals in the field are making advancements in exciting ways that are profoundly changing patients’ lives, such as using informatics to help improve clinicians’ ability to make diagnoses, implementing programs that support personalized medicine, and using technology to foster healthier living habits.

Myth #2—Healthcare administrators are responsible for patient care. Healthcare administrators typically do not get involved directly with patient care. They are focused on the administrative, financial, and managerial side of the organization. “Oftentimes that is a completely different skill set from a clinician who’s responsible for providing direct care to patients.”

Myth #3—Healthcare administration is only for industry veterans. “You don’t have to have worked in healthcare for a long time to advance in the field. “Many healthcare organizations have recognized that they need diverse perspectives at the table. One employee might have started out in marketing position in a Fortune 500 company and now they’re the head of the hospital’s marketing department. There’s always a place for someone with the right skills and drive to succeed.”

Healthcare Administrator Career Outlook

There is a tremendous demand for healthcare administrators, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 20 percent growth in employment of medical and health services managers through 2026. This is much faster than the average growth of other occupations, due in part to the increased demand for healthcare services as baby boomers age and remain active later in life.

In addition, the emergence of healthcare applications has brought new opportunities for healthcare administrators. “The confluence of healthcare and IT is driving a demand for people who understand the implications this has on everything from legal issues to operational issues. “These companies need someone at the table who understands the healthcare sector and how technology can improve health outcomes.”