Medical organizations depend on health program managers to oversee staff and provide high-quality patient care. These professionals use skills ranging from communication and leadership to multi-tasking to perform a range of administrative and management duties. Developing these skills can differentiate you from other candidates and increase the chances of getting a job in this competitive field. In this article, we list seven health program manager skills and discuss this career’s salary, job outlook and education requirements.
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What is a health program manager?
A health program manager is a professional who coordinates multiple related projects within a medical organization. For instance, a health program manager might oversee all of the telemedicine aspects of a practitioner’s office or the mental health ward of a hospital. These professionals perform several duties to ensure a program’s success, including monitoring budgets and delegating tasks to health care employees. Other key responsibilities include:
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Updating the organization’s executives on project progress and estimated completion dates
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Creating a schedule and enforcing deadlines
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Overseeing the recruiting and hiring process
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Standardizing administrative procedures and emergency protocols
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Communicating with other departments
While organizations employ different types of health program managers, the two main types are clinical managers and health information managers. Clinical managers mainly focus on creating policies and directing the staff under their supervision. They often create schedules and conduct performance evaluations to ensure high-quality medical care. Health information managers have a greater emphasis on maintaining patient records and adhering to federal regulations that mandate confidentiality.
7 health program manager skills
Here are seven skills that help health program managers succeed in their careers:
1. Leadership
Health program managers are leaders in their organizations, meaning staff look to them for guidance. It’s important for these professionals to efficiently delegate tasks and increase confidence in management teams. Health program managers can also facilitate employee trust by boosting morale and listening to input about how to improve processes.
2. Decision-making
A health program manager makes lots of decisions regarding the organization’s daily operations and long-term goals. For instance, they might decide to switch to a new supplier or revise the hiring standards to make them more strict. By being proactive and considering all the details regarding a situation, these professionals can make time-sensitive decisions quickly to ensure efficiency. They can support their decisions by instilling employee confidence in them and recognizing when adjustments are necessary.
3. Multi-tasking
The job description of a health program manager is relatively broad, making it important for these professionals to be good at multi-tasking. They perform various duties throughout their day and are responsible for multiple projects at once. Health program managers can do a good job by prioritizing assignments, managing their time well and delegating tasks to the appropriate employees.
4. Communication
Good verbal communication skills help health program managers provide clear instructions to employees and collaborate with fellow managers. These professionals may also communicate with members of other departments and give presentations in front of senior executives. Written communication skills are essential, as they allow health program managers to write clear reports and petition for additional resources from senior executives.
5. Finance skills
Finance skills such as budgeting and risk management help health program managers distribute funding to the necessary departments. For instance, they might ensure there’s enough money to pay competitive salaries that attract qualified medical staff. They might also research the most affordable suppliers to source high-quality equipment and determine ways to reduce expenses.
6. Technical knowledge
Even if a health program manager has a clinical role instead of a health information role, technical knowledge can help them better perform their duties. Familiarity with health care software allows them to adjust employee schedules and create performance reports. Additionally, working knowledge of the organization’s devices can allow them to troubleshoot issues and reduce system downtime.
7. Respect for confidentiality
Medical organizations trust health program managers to keep patient records confidential. This responsibility is especially important for professionals who specialize in health information, but all program managers can benefit from this skill. They establish policies and supervise employees to regulate who can access confidential information, allowing the organization to comply with federal regulations and respect patient privacy.
Health program manager education and training
Small organizations may only require health program managers to have a bachelor’s degree, but many employers look for candidates with a master’s degree. A program in business administration can prepare you for various management and administrative duties. Graduate studies tend to be intense and offer rigorous courses in data analysis, risk management and information technology.
If you want to tailor your education to the medical field, consider a degree in health sciences or health services administration. A specialized major may help you differentiate yourself from other candidates and compensate for limited clinical experience, meaning you can advance your career faster. Note that positions in fields like nursing case facility administration may require you to obtain state licensure.
Health program manager salary and job outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for all medical and health services managers is $104,280 per year. You may be able to increase your earning potential by working for the government or finding a position in a hospital or outpatient care center. Those who have several years of experience and advanced training also tend to earn more.
As for job outlook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the employment of all medical and health service managers to increase 32% from 2020 to 2030. This rapid growth is likely to result from increased demand for health services among the baby-boom population. While aspiring health program managers can find work in various facilities, health practitioner offices are increasingly seeking these professionals to oversee their management.
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