The Role of a Healthcare Administrator

A healthcare administrator oversees all aspects of a healthcare facility or organization.

A healthcare administrator is responsible for planning, coordinating and supervising the delivery of healthcare services in clinics, hospitals, public health agencies, and managed care organizations. They are also responsible for handling the details of daily operations.

Duties

The duties required of a healthcare administrator include developing and implementing organizational policies and procedures for the facility; maintaining communication between medical staff, governing boards, and department heads; and monitoring the use of diagnostic services, facilities, inpatient beds and staff to make sure that the resources are being used effectively. They are also responsible for planning budgets, establishing rates for services, authorizing expenditures and coordinating financial reporting.

Skills

The skills required of a healthcare administrator include strong communication, critical thinking, reading comprehension, monitoring and active listening skills. They should also have deductive and inductive reasoning skills.

Knowledge

A healthcare administrator should have knowledge of administration and management, personnel and human resources, public safety and security, production and processing, and economics and accounting. They should have at least a master's degree in health administration, public administration or a related field.

Salary

The average annual salary for a healthcare administrator was approximately $90,000 in 2009, according to MyPlan.com.

References

• My Plan: Medical and Health Services Managers Job Description
• Heathcare Salary Online: Healthcare Administrator Job Description