The rising healthcare needs have caused a significant increase in the demand for better healthcare facilities. Consequently, the healthcare sector is one of the US’s biggest and most complicated industries. It is a rapidly growing sector despite several ongoing economic problems. It is due to the increasing number of hospitals, medical equipment manufacturers, health insurance companies, clinical trials, and more. A strong system of medical research, higher education, and advanced technology have also played crucial roles in the advancement of this industry.
Management in the Healthcare Industry
Healthcare is a multifaceted industry that needs expert leaders for its smooth functioning. These professionals are responsible for handling the business side of the healthcare industry. Thus, the rise in the population’s healthcare needs has also increased the demand for qualified healthcare administrators.
A healthcare administrator plays many important roles. They may oversee entire medical facilities, a department, or a project and are in charge of planning, coordinating, and directing healthcare services. A good healthcare administrator aims to optimize patient care and develop strategic plans that determine the healthcare organization’s success.
As this field emphasizes healthcare and managerial duties, it also requires business expertise. Moreover, the complicated position also requires individuals to possess the ability to adapt to the current technological and other changes in the healthcare industry. All these requirements have opened up many opportunities for MBA jobs in healthcare. And it is expected to grow by 32% by 2030.
Essential Managerial Roles
The healthcare sector is managed similarly to other businesses. When you take a managerial position, you become responsible for several things and have to play different roles. You are responsible for managing the organization’s people and have to oversee all the resources, relationships, and processes.
Overall, managerial positions are quite complex and demanding. So, after meticulous research, Henry Mintzberg created a list of managerial roles in the workplace. These roles are distributed into three broad categories:
- Interpersonal roles include responsibilities and actions related to employees and colleagues. Interactions with these people enable the manager to fulfill organizational goals.
- Informational roles include generating, receiving, or sharing important information with higher-level employees and colleagues to reach specific goals.
- Decisional roles include making informed decisions and coming up with strategies and solutions.
The categories mentioned above include the following ten roles that come along with a managerial position.
Figurehead
This role falls in the category of interpersonal roles. It includes carrying out symbolic, legal, and social tasks. Overall, the manager acts as the company’s representative during such events. Moreover, the manager is also responsible for motivating and encouraging their colleagues to achieve specific objectives.
An example of the figurehead role is when you attend events such as conferences as a company representative.
Leader
It also falls in the category of interpersonal roles. As a leader, the manager supervises the staff’s performance. They direct their team and members’ duties to fulfill certain aims and objectives efficiently. The manager also motivates and guides the team and conducts performance evaluations.
For example, your team has goals regarding any matter. You will be responsible for ensuring that the employees understand what is expected from them, performing regular checks, and assessing progress.
Liaison
A manager acts as a liaison by building and maintaining connections with internal and external parties. The manager acts as a connection or communicator who conveys messages from one team to another. It ensures the smooth functioning of the organization. They also convey important information along the chain of command. Furthermore, they are also responsible for creating contacts with external parties. It helps create a network and allows the manager to bring the right parties together for collaboration on projects.
For instance, you will be responsible for communicating with clients and understanding their unique requirements. You will then convey this information to your employees to work accordingly.
Monitor
It is a part of informational roles. As a monitor, the manager must gain information and knowledge about the organization, like any predicted industry changes. The manager will then assess and evaluate this information, look for any problems and change their course of action accordingly. Monitoring also includes keeping an eye on the daily functioning of an organization and detecting problems or coming up with solutions to boost efficiency.
For example, an industry may face several regulatory changes from time to time. So, you will be responsible for keeping up with these changes.
Disseminator
This role involves transmitting important messages from external and internal sources to the right individuals. The manager either delivers information verbally or in written form.
For example, the recent industry changes may have led you to develop an improved product design. As a manager, you will submit your proposal to higher-level colleagues or convey it to your employees.
Spokesperson
In this role, the manager is responsible for representing the company and communicating on its behalf with external parties. Moreover, if the manager is heading a team, they can represent their team in meetings.
For instance, as a manager, you may have to attend a shareholder meeting where you will discuss the company’s current progress and so forth.
Entrepreneur
In this role, managers are responsible for processes related to organizing or running the business. They are responsible for coming up with new, creative ideas that can be profitable for the organization.
Disturbance handler
As the name suggests, this role involves resolving external or internal disturbances or conflicts. It can include a client backing out of a deal or ending a contract. It can also involve solving conflicts or problems between two employees or teams.
Resource allocator
In this role, the manager is responsible for managing and distributing resources. They will decide how the raw materials will be distributed and where to source them. It can include controlling the business’ budget, funding equipment, hiring new staff, etc.
Negotiator
A manager also plays the role of a negotiator. It may include negotiating deals with external or internal parties. For instance, if a client is displeased due to a late shipment, you can negotiate by reducing shipping costs or offering a discount.
Concluding thoughts
Good management is essential for every business. Similarly, healthcare organizations require expert administrators who can manage the staff and the organization’s affairs. It helps improve patient care and boosts the productivity of the healthcare organization too.
A managerial role in the healthcare industry is similar to other industries. Managers are primarily responsible for handling staff and ensuring the smooth running of the business. However, according to Mintzberg, a manager’s job is divided into several roles that entail specific responsibilities. These include negotiating, handling disturbances, monitoring, and more.
