The healthcare industry and profession is expanding and evolving with new technology and health needs. The increase in needs has created more opportunities as well for the healthcare team. To meet the needs of healthcare consumers, efficient and effective administration and management of medical centers is essential. The industry has a shortage of personnel across the country, a situation that has created opportunities for managers and medical practitioners. As administrators, there is a professional growth pathway for individual healthcare managers.
In the state city Denver and across Colorado, searching the web as an intern or volunteer in healthcare administration and management, one found opportunities in both profit and non-profit medical service providers. These opportunities range from Human Resource Assistant, Healthcare Practice Administrator, Healthcare Coordinator, Medical Care Manager, Supervisor, Housekeeping/Environmental Service Manager, and Hospital Medical Assistant. The role of the administrators or managers in the healthcare team requires critical leadership and organizational competences that satisfies the needs of patients, stakeholders, and other medical personnel.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Leadership capacity is among the qualities that organizations are looking for in healthcare administrator interns or volunteers. The leadership capacity of administrators goes beyond academic qualifications and job position. The industry consists of individuals with different aspirations and priorities. The healthcare manager for the benefit and satisfaction of all must manage these aspirations. It is evident that the administrator needs to possess the ability to creatively foster teamwork as well as inspire confidence in the team and commitment to the goals of the organization (Johnson, 2005). This skill entails sensitivity to needs that are personal and organizational in nature. The administrator is required to be a team player who develops strategies on structured organizational change that improve efficiency or productivity. These actions will eventually lead to growth and consumers’ satisfaction.
Another skill set required is effective communication. It is central to all the skills that organizations are requesting volunteers or interns to possess. This may be in connection to the role they play in sustaining the image of the organizations and building cohesive teams. The healthcare manager must be skilled in communication to create camaraderie with personnel, design and interact in staff meetings, collaborate, negotiate, and strengthen relationships with different levels of individuals and groups in the industry. Healthcare manager relates with a community, which includes physicians, patients, industry leaders, investors, fellow administrators or managers, and vendors of the healthcare sector. These cadres of individuals make communication skill central in administration. Thus, the ability to manage relationships is an important skill that the healthcare administrator can enhance through effective communication.
Business and problem-solving capabilities are common skills sets that are expected of a healthcare intern or volunteer. One observed that healthcare management goes beyond the basic responsibilities of administration but critical thinking abilities to response and provide solutions to issues that may arise during emergencies or conflict. Decision-making, planning, and conflict resolution are the most important skill set for healthcare managers (Boldy, Jain, and Harris, 1990). The healthcare administrator makes the workplace conducive by their ability to think critically and implement promotional work ethics.
The healthcare administrators in a competitive business environment are expected to possess sound business insight. This skill adds value to the organization and they provide the necessary strategic planning for the organization.
The digital world in which the healthcare team operates has made a technical skill part of the skills requirement. Record keeping has become electronic, forcing organizations to request for knowledge of some new software and technology. Thus, the compilation and management of health data, bookkeeping, budgeting, and billing procedures require technical capabilities. It is also required from healthcare administrators to file reports and keep their records in orderly manner. The use of technology will enhance these healthcare needs.
Another skill seen is information management. The administrator is expected to possess the ability to handle information. Healthcare managers must be adept in collecting, organizing, and analyzing information within and outside their organizations. They have to be creative and help the team in adjusting and adapting to any changes that is internal or external. The healthcare managers are to have keen interest in the information dynamics and events within the industry. The analytical skills of administrators will help them process what is new in the industry, plan strategically both in qualitative and quantitative terms. The capacity of the healthcare management interns to understand industrial trends is an area of interest for organizations.
Something of particular interest is the demand for experience and differences in the skill set for different positions. The higher the position the higher the skill set (Slipičević, 2005). This difference is attributed to the complexity of the jobs. One notes that almost every organization requires some form of experience.
Part 2
There are a few professional certification programs in the field. One of such is the Certified Medical Manager. The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) is responsible for the program. For someone to qualify an exam is set and candidates must have at least 12 college credits in relevant discipline. Another is the Certified Nursing Home Administrator. The certification is sponsored by the American College of Health Care Administrators. No exam is required but academic qualification and experience as a nurse. Within the field is the Certified Revenue Cycle Executive program, is sponsored by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management. Exam is offered in this program. Candidate has to have two years associate degree in relevant field, a minimum of four years’ experience in healthcare industry, and knowledge of revenue cycle management processes. There is also, the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, sponsored by American Hospital Association. Exam is part of certification and a fee is a requirement. The American Hospital Association has other certification programs as well that are related to administration and management.
The certifications will demonstrate the level of professionalism that is required in the profession and upscale my job profile. It will also allow me to access new developments in the practice and adherence to ethical standards set by certification institutions.
References
Boldy, D., Jain, S. & Harris, M. (1990). What makes an effective manager?--health care and general management perceptions. Aust Health Rev. 13 (4):271-87.
Johnson, S. W. (2005). Characteristics of effective health care managers. Health Care Manag (Frederick).24 (2):124-8.
Slipičević, O. (2005). Results of Delphi Study on Priorities in Education in Health Management. Acta Inform Med. 13 (2):85–88.
