Medical and Health Services Manager Career Guide

What Does a Medical and Health Services Manager Do?

Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians. Medical and health services managers must adapt to changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and technology.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Developing goals and objectives related to efficiency and quality of healthcare services
• Ensuring that the facility complies with laws and regulations
• Preparing and monitoring budgets and managing finances, including patient fees and billing
• Recruiting, training, and supervising staff members
• Creating work schedules and managing day-to-day operations
• Representing the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards
• Keeping and organizing records of facility services, such as the number of inpatient beds used

Medical and health services managers work with physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, medical records specialists, and other healthcare personnel. They also may interact with patients or insurance agents. Most work in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, and group medical practices. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Education & Requirements

• Typical Education: Bachelor's degree (some employers hire candidates with an associate's degree; others prefer a master's degree)
• Common Majors: Healthcare administration, health information management, nursing, business, or other related fields
• Work Experience: Less than 5 years in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility
• Certifications: Some states require licensure for nursing home administrators. Professional certifications are available but not required
• Key Skills: Analytical skills, communication skills, detail-oriented, leadership, technical skills (EHR systems, healthcare technology)

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data):

• Median Annual Salary: $117,960
• Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,680
• Experienced (90th percentile): $219,080
• 25th percentile: ~$86,000
• 75th percentile: ~$158,000

Top-Paying Industries (May 2024):

• Government (excluding education and hospitals): $132,620
• Hospitals (state, local, and private): $130,690
• Outpatient care centers: $106,990
• Offices of physicians: $100,780
• Nursing and residential care facilities: $99,250

Top-Paying States: New York ($179,160), District of Columbia ($170,710), Delaware ($164,190), New Jersey ($162,430), Massachusetts ($158,540)

Job Outlook & Growth

Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations (3%). This represents about 142,900 new jobs over the decade.

About 62,100 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Factors driving growth:

• Aging population: As the baby boomer generation ages, demand for healthcare services will increase, requiring more managers to oversee facilities and staff
• Healthcare complexity: Advancements in technology, shifting policies and regulations, and evolving models of care are contributing to increased complexity of healthcare delivery
• Expanded healthcare access: More medical and health services managers will be needed to help organizations navigate the evolving and increasingly complex healthcare landscape

How to Break Into This Field

1. Get the Right Education:
   • Earn at least a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, health information management, business, nursing, or a related field
   • Consider a master's degree (MHA or MBA in Healthcare Management) for better advancement opportunities
   • Coursework should include health services management, accounting and budgeting, health informatics, medical terminology, and hospital organization
2. Gain Healthcare Experience:
   • Work in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility
   • Entry-level positions: medical records specialist, administrative assistant, financial clerk, or registered nurse in a healthcare office
   • Seek internships or volunteer opportunities at hospitals or clinics
3. Build Essential Skills:
   • Learn healthcare technology systems (EHR, coding systems, billing software)
   • Develop leadership and team management skills
   • Stay current on healthcare laws, regulations, and compliance requirements
   • Improve analytical skills for metrics evaluation and budget management
4. Consider Certification (Optional):
   • Professional credentials can enhance your qualifications
   • Some states require licensure for nursing home administrators
   • RN or social worker licenses may be required for some positions
5. Network and Apply:
   • Join professional associations for healthcare administrators
   • Attend healthcare conferences and industry events
   • Target employers: hospitals (29% of jobs), physician offices (14%), nursing facilities (9%), outpatient care centers (7%)

Career Path & Advancement

Typical progression:

1. Entry-level: Administrative assistant, medical records specialist, or financial clerk in healthcare setting
2. Mid-level: Clinical manager overseeing a specific department (e.g., intensive care, physical therapy)
3. Senior-level: Health information manager, nursing home administrator, or facility manager
4. Executive-level: Top executive positions within healthcare organizations (may require master's degree)

Some health information managers advance by taking on additional responsibilities, such as managing an entire hospital's information systems. Advancement to top executive positions typically requires a master's degree and extensive experience.

Pros & Cons

Related Careers

If you're interested in Medical and Health Services Manager, you might also consider:

• Administrative Services and Facilities Managers - $106,880 median salary
• Social and Community Service Managers - $78,240 median salary
• Human Resources Managers - $140,030 median salary
• Financial Managers - $161,700 median salary
• Top Executives - $105,350 median salary
• Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars - $67,310 median salary
• Registered Nurses - $93,600 median salary (common path into management)