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Hospital and Health Services Administrators

THE JOB

HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATORS are responsible for overall
management of 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 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

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division. 

Estimated number of workers in 1993             14,660
Estimated number of workers in 2005             19,160
Projected Growth 1993-2005                         31%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005    4,560

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

Employment for Health Services Administrators is expected to grow at a rate
faster than the rate for all other occupations 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, but the California median hourly wage for this occupation
is $23.35.  Assistant administrators can earn 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) can make as much as $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 State.

Some administrators of small facilities may choose to accept a lower-level
position in a larger center which often leads to professional growth.


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.

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
www.cahhs.org/

American Hospital Association
840 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL  60611
(312) 280-6000
www.aha.org/

American College of Healthcare Executives
One North Franklin Street, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606-3491
(312) 424-2800
fax (312) 424-0023
www.ache.org/

Healthcare Financial Management Association
Two Westbrook Corporate Center, Suite 700
Westchester, IL 60154
(800) 252-4362
fax (708) 531-9600
www.hfma.org/


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Management Trainees                       No.  59
Medical Record Techs. & Administrators    No. 134

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed.,1991)
Administrator, Health Care Facility   187.117-010

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Medicine, Health Services Managers         150080


Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.