Healthcare administrators make sure medical facilities function smoothly, and the working staff delivers quality patient care. Our hospitals and clinics form the backbone of the country’s health sector. Making sure these facilities deliver optimal health services is crucial for improved patient outcomes.
That’s why many healthcare professionals aspire to transition into leadership roles and apply for these managerial positions. After all, health admins make over $100k a year on average! So, which must-have skills can help advance your career and make you eligible for these administration roles?
Which skills must health admins have?
If you wish to become a healthcare administrator, then it’s important to develop the hard and soft skills necessary for this job.
1. Industry Knowledge
The health sector is already quite competitive, and many highly qualified candidates covet administrative positions. However, obtaining a master’s degree can improve your chances of applying for all these sought-after managerial positions. You can get a master’s degree in healthcare leadership online, keep your full-time job, and save money on commuting or traveling.
An online master’s degree will cost you less, and you can finish this program within a year. So, go for the Master of Science Health Administration online and reap the following benefits:
- Add business insights to your medical expertise
- Advance your career in health management
- Influence the well-being of a community
2. Leadership
As a health admin, you’ll serve as the hospital’s executive, improving patient outcomes on a bigger-picture level.
Who is an effective leader?
Being an effective leader isn’t just about issuing orders and expecting your subordinates to obey them. It’s about commanding respect and motivating the staff to abide by your instructions. You need to be a role model to your underlings, using proper team-building and strategic planning to your advantage. That’s how you make sure all necessary healthcare guidelines are being followed.
Keep your leadership patient-focused to achieve optimal healthcare outcomes.
3. Technical Expertise
Every healthcare administrator needs to nurture some technical skills needed for managerial positions. We’ll discuss the three most important tech skills. Some other skills that we haven’t mentioned here include the safe handling of medical equipment and basic know-how of healthcare software solutions your organization may be using.
● Business Administration
You need to foster an advanced understanding of running a business to qualify for a career in healthcare administration. You can do that by doing an MBA online with a healthcare specialization or simply a master’s in healthcare administration.
● Data Analysis
Learn how to tinker with data and rely on DDDM (data-driven decision-making) for all the key business functions. Familiarize yourself with EHRs (electronic health records) and find ways to maximize this healthcare data to improve patient outcomes in your organization.
● Budgeting
Learn how to create a budget for your organization and manage the cash flow. That’s how you can keep your organization stable and its business functions financially viable. From paper for printers to surgical instruments – make sure all these pieces of equipment are fully stocked.
4. Communication
It’s estimated that, in a given year, 250,000 people die because of medical errors, while a total of 1.2 million patients are harmed because of them. Removing barriers to communication can help the health sector overcome these errors and significantly improve patient outcomes. But can you nurture better communication skills?
How to communicate better?
A lot of health admins wonder how to become better at communicating and collaborating with their staff for improved health outcomes. Well, here are some ways to achieve this goal easily:
- Learn how to convey complex information clearly and succinctly
- Connect with your patients by developing empathy and compassion
- Encourage active participation by fostering a collaborative leadership style
- Recognize talent, learn to delegate tasks, and appreciate diligent employees
- Understand the needs of your staff and patients by actively listening to them
5. Analytical Skills
A true leader doesn’t lack proper analytical skills. These skills will help you make informed decisions and judge people’s strengths or weaknesses.
● Critical Thinking
As a health admin, you will receive loads of conflicting and messy information daily. But it’s your job to conceptualize these pieces of information to make a fair judgment. So, hone your critical thinking skills by breaking down complex situations into manageable components. Reflect upon your previous decisions and remain open-minded to consider different perspectives.
● Problem-Solving
Solving diverse problems and resolving conflicts are some of the basic duties health admins will encounter daily. Nurture your problem-solving skills by learning how to gather data, define the problem at hand, and brainstorm creative ideas before deciding what’s gotta be done.
6. Adaptability
The ever-evolving medical landscape is always changing, and new healthcare protocols are being introduced to this sector. The goals of the American health sector aren’t the same either; they’re susceptible to change with time as the US slowly becomes a white-minority country with a higher boomer population.
Surveys show that, by 2030, adults aged 65+ will outnumber children for the first time in US history. So, these statistics showcase why health admins need to adapt and prepare for these unique challenges.
7. Mentoring
Mentors serve as role models to their underlings, guiding and providing them with active feedback. Your mentor probably helped you explore your careers, set up future goals, and climb the ladder of success much easier than others. Now, it’s time to return the favor and produce future leaders by taking some underlings your wings. Here’s how you can become a great mentor to those who look up to you:
- Offer your mentees clear guidance about workplace protocols
- Show them different ways to reduce medical errors in the workplace
- Motivate them and help them become better versions of themselves
Conclusion
This article explains which skills make you eligible for a career in healthcare administration. You have to nurture your communication, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills. Adapt to changes, become a problem solver, and learn how to mentor your underlings to create future leaders.
Whether you’re a seasoned healthcare practitioner or aspiring to join this field, properly understanding these skills is key to reaching new heights in the healthcare sector.