HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATORS California Occupational Guide Number 235 Interest Area 13 1995
THE JOB
HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATORS are responsible for overall management of complex modern health services centers. Following policies set by a governing board of trustees, administrators plan, organize, direct, control or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, out-patient clinics, convalescent hospitals, drug-abuse treatment centers and similar long-term care facilities.
Administrators see that health services centers operate efficiently and provide adequate medical care to patients. Their responsibilities are varied and usually require the collective cooperation of assistant administrators and the medical and support staff. Administrators of large centers act as liaisons between governing boards, medical staff, and department heads and integrate the activities of all departments into a smooth-functioning whole. Their job is difficult and demanding; they need to keep up with advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
Administrative functions include the following: planning and coordinating departmental activities, program evaluation, development of policies and procedures for various medical treatment and preventative activities, quality assurance, patient services, and public relations activities such as active participation in fund-raising and community health planning.
Administrators also direct the recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel. Other activities include fiscal operations such as budget planning, accounting, and rate-setting for health services. In addition, administrators develop and expand programs and services for scientific research, preventive medicine, and medical and vocational rehabilitation.
Large health services centers are run by chief executive officers (CEOs) who assign work to assistant administrators to operate specific departments such as physical therapy, personnel, and training or surgery. In small facilities, the administrator is in charge of all departments.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Health Services Administrators often work long or irregular hours. Health care centers operate around the clock seven days a week, and the administrative staff may be called upon to solve emergency problems at any time. Medical staff meetings, health planning councils, fund raising, and professional association and educational activities all may demand extra time and travel.
Health Services Administrators may join the American College of Healthcare Executives. Administrators with experience in fiscal and financial planning may join the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment for Health Services Administrators is expected to be somewhat depressed in the near future. The latest trends in health care administration, points to an unsettled job market, with hospital closures and consolidations significantly reducing the demand for skilled hospital administrators, while increasing the pool of available and experienced administrators. In 1990 there were approximately 14,000 Medicine and Health Service Managers in California.
Opportunities will be best in major medical centers and in large public hospitals. Specialized centers that are care givers for older people or those who may need care more frequently and for longer periods -- such as hospice programs that treat terminally ill patients -- will also provide jobs. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that provide care to a large membership covered by health insurance are increasing in numbers and will have an ongoing need for administrators at various levels. Opportunities may be limited in the rural area of the State.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Salaries of Health Services Administrators may vary greatly, according to the type, size, and location of the hospital and the administrator's level of responsibility. Assistant administrators earn from $2,500 to over $7,000 a month. They usually have a bachelor's or master's degree in public health or health administration. Some have a master's degree in business and finance. Experienced administrators with a master's degree in health services administration (or related) have a salary range of $3,000 to $9,000, or more a month. CEOs can earn as much $210,000 per year or more. Public health services centers and smaller facilities usually pay the lower wages.
Fringe benefits usually include vacations, holidays, and sick leave; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and retirement plans.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Health Services Administrators should have a master's degree in health services administration from an accredited college or university. A master's degree in public administration or business administration may also qualify graduates for entry into health care administration. The health services administration degree usually includes a one-year internship (residency) in a health care center. Graduates with a BA degree in this field may work in a health care center before starting a master's program. Nursing home administrators need to be licensed by the Nursing Home Administrators State Board of Examiners to work for health care facilities that receive Medicare or MediCal funds.
High school students who plan careers in health care administration must take college preparatory courses, including biology, chemistry, advanced math, speech, and economics.
Hospital Administrator candidates are evaluated by the board of trustees who assess their performance in previous positions or situations. Skills that rank high are organizational and planning abilities, leadership and knowledge of business principles. They also look for such talents as skillful interaction with individuals and groups, the ability to evaluate and utilize facts and figures, and the ability to work long hours, often under stressful conditions.
ADVANCEMENT
Health Services Administrators normally start as administrative assistants in large centers or assistant administrators in medium-sized institutions. They advance by taking increasing responsibilities such as associate administrator and, finally, CEO. Moving to a higher classification may require transferring to a smaller
FINDING THE JOB
State, federal, and county health care centers employ Health Services Administrators. Job seekers should also apply directly to private health services centers, respond to classified ads in professional journals and newspapers, register with medical or executive recruitment agencies, and send letters of applications and resumes to Hospital Administrators throughout the health care facility, perhaps in an rural area, to accept a position with a broader scope of responsibility. Some administrators of small facilities may choose to accept a lower-level position in a larger center which often leads to professional growth.
State Directories that list hospitals by location, identify the administrator and describe the size and type of facility are available in libraries.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems 1201 K Street, Suite 800 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 443-7401
American Hospital Association 840 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 280-6000
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Management Trainees No. 59 Medical Record Technicians & Administrators No. 134
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Administrator, Hospital 187.117-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Medicine and Health Services Managers 150080
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Home 
Job Key 
Wages 
Demand