Health services administrators and nursing home
administrators set the goals, develop the methods, and coordinate the
programs necessary to achieve the smooth functioning of a health agency or
institution. They determine policies and procedures, then ensure that these
are understood and implemented with the collective cooperation of the medical
staff and other personnel. The administrator’s job includes financial
planning and budget development, personnel administration, purchasing, public
relations, departmental coordination and patient services
administration.Changes in the health
care delivery system are increasing the demand for competent people to direct
and manage voluntary, private, governmental, and research facilities. Also,
administrators can play a role in developing health care services by joining
in the activities of community agencies and by discussing health concerns and
issues with health associations and professional groups.Many years of training are required to
develop and administer health care systems. Most administrators hold graduate
degrees. They must possess intellectual maturity, refined leadership skills,
and a thorough knowledge of management principles in order to handle the
complexities of managing a health care system.
Health Services
Administrator
Health Services
Administrators, direct and coordinate the functions of a hospital or other
health care institution and the activities of the staff. They are responsible
for the efficient operation of a specific department or for the entire health
care facility.
Work Activities
Managing
the total or partial operation of a hospital or other health care facility
Directing
the activities of medical, nursing, allied health, technical, volunteer,
clerical, service, and/
or maintenance staffs
Maintaining
and developing professional standards, policies, and procedures for
various institutional activities
Administering
fiscal operations, such as planning the budget, accounting, and
establishing rates for health services
Planning
and coordinating the marketing activities for hospital services
Directing
the hiring and training of personnel
Developing
or expanding programs or services for scientific research, preventive
medicine, medical and vocational rehabilitation, and community health and
welfare
Attending
meetings of the governing body of the institution
Preparing
official reports of hospital or other health care facility activities
Representing
the health care facility at community meetings and promoting programs
through various news media
Career Specialties
Health Services Administrators may work in a particular type of
establishment or organization, such as a Hospital Administrator does. In early
career stages, persons trained as administrators can serve as staff-level
assistants to the administrator, financial officer, operations officer and other
administrators.
There is an increasing demand for health services managers
in non-hospital settings, such as clinics, medical practices, health
maintenance organizations, voluntary health agencies, and other specialized
medical facilities.Those who specialize
in the administration of certain management functions may be designated as
Policy Development Administrators or Health Program Analysts.Some Health Services Administrators
specialize in nursing.
Nursing Supervisors coordinate and evaluate the activities of
the nursing staff working in specific nursing services, such as obstetrics,
orthopedics, pediatrics, or surgery. The Nursing Supervisor also supervises and
evaluates the performance of head nurses, inspects unit areas to see that
patient needs are being met, and suggests new methods and procedures when
needed. Additional responsibilities include planning and organizing orientation
and in-service training for unit staff members and supervising employee and
nursing records.
Work Settings
In small hospitals, Health Services Administrators
personally coordinate the programs and activities that make an organization
function. In larger hospitals, they work through a staff of assistant
administrators who direct daily operations. The Health Services Administrator
remains informed through formal and informal meetings with assistants, medical
staff, and other hospital workers. Usually, the Hospital Administrator is
responsible to a policy-making body, such as a board of trustees. Health
Services Administrators working in positions other than hospital administration
have varied working conditions.
Special Requirements
For many chief administrative positions, a graduate degree
in health services administration, nursing administration, or business administration
is a decided asset. For all health specialist positions and some generalist
positions, employers seek applicants who have had clinical experience (as
nurses or therapists, for example) as well as academic preparation in business
or health services administration.
Educational Institutions
Health
Services Administrator: ASUJ, UALR, UCA, UAMS (M)
General
Business Administration: ABC, ASUJ, CBC, JBU, HSU, LC, PSC, SAUM,
Nursing Home
Administrators plan, organize, direct, and control the operations of a
nursing home or other long-term personal care facility using policies
established by the owner of the facility or its governing board.
Work Activities
Directing
the activities of the medical, nursing, technical, clerical, volunteer,
service, and maintenance staffs
Maintaining
and developing standards, policies, programs, and operating procedures
that comply with the most current governmental regulations
Administering
fiscal operations, such as budget preparation, accounting, and
establishing rates for health services
Directing
the hiring and training of employees
Compiling,
analyzing, and preparing official reports
Speaking
at community gatherings and conducting public relations and marketing
activities
Interviewing
families of persons seeking admittance to the facility
In addition to their administrative duties, Nursing Home
Administrators may have duties in patient care or service. They may be physicians,
registered or licensed practical nurses, or allied health professionals. Also,
some are involved in teaching, research, or other professional activities.
Work Settings
Nursing Home Administrators work under the supervision of a
proprietor or governing board. In small facilities, Administrators coordinate
all aspects of the institution with the assistance of an administrative
assistant. Administrators usually assign responsibility for routine tasks to
assistant administrators.
Most Nursing Home Administrators work in offices located in
the nursing homes. Others work in the business offices of large nursing home
corporations that manage several facilities.
Special Requirements
All states require Nursing Home Administrators to pass a
licensing examination, complete a state-approved training program, and pursue
continuing education. Persons interested in nursing home administration should
contact individual agencies in Arkansas
for additional specific requirements.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Regional Programs
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Health services administrators and nursing home
administrators set the goals, develop the methods, and coordinate the
programs necessary to achieve the smooth functioning of a health agency or
institution. They determine policies and procedures, then ensure that these
are understood and implemented with the collective cooperation of the medical
staff and other personnel. The administrator’s job includes financial
planning and budget development, personnel administration, purchasing, public
relations, departmental coordination and patient services
administration.