[BEGINNING]
[CONTENTS] [PREVIOUS] [NEXT] [INDEX]

Health Administration

Health services administrators and nursing home administrators set the goals, develop the methods, and coordinate the programs necessary to achieve the smooth functioning of a health agency or institution. They determine policies and procedures, then ensure that these are understood and implemented with the collective cooperation of the medical staff and other personnel. The administrator's job includes financial planning and budget development, personnel administration, purchasing, public relations, departmental coordination, and patient services administration.

Changes in the health care delivery system are increasing the demand for competent people to direct and manage voluntary, private, governmental, and research facilities. Also, administrators can play a role in developing health care services by joining in the activities of community agencies and by discussing health concerns and issues with health associations and professional groups. Many years of training are required to develop and administer health care systems. Most administrators hold graduate degrees. They must possess intellectual maturity, refined leadership skills, and a thorough knowledge of management principles in order to handle the complexities of managing a health care system.


In larger hospitals, Health Services Administrators
often coordinate and supervise staff members who direct
daily operations within the facility.

Health Services Administrator

Health Services Administrators direct and coordinate the functions of a hospital or other health care institution and the activities of the staff. They are responsible for the efficient operation of a specific department or for the entire health care facility.

Work Activities

  • Managing the total or partial operation of a hospital or other health care facility
  • Directing the activities of medical, nursing, allied health, technical, volunteer, clerical, service, and/or maintenance staffs
  • Maintaining and developing professional standards, policies, and procedures for various institutional activities
  • Administering fiscal operations, such as planning the budget, accounting, and establishing rates for health services
  • Planning and coordinating the marketing activities for hospital services
  • Directing the hiring and training of personnel
  • Developing or expanding programs or services for scientific research, preventive medicine, medical and vocational rehabilitation, and community health and welfare
  • Attending meetings of the governing body of the institution
  • Preparing official reports of hospital or other health care facility activities
  • Representing the health care facility at community meetings and promoting programs through various news media

Career Specialties
Health Services Administrators may work in a particular type of establishment or organization, such as a Hospital Administrator does. In early career stages, persons trained as administrators can serve as staff-level assistants to the administrator, financial officer, operations officer, and others.

There is an increasing demand for health services managers in non-hospital settings, such as clinics, medical practices, health maintenance organizations, voluntary health agencies, and other specialized medical facilities.

Those who specialize in the administration of certain management functions may be designated as Policy Development Administrators or Health Program Analysts.

Some Health Services Administrators specialize in nursing. Nursing Supervisors coordinate and evaluate the activities of the nursing staff working in specific nursing services, such as obstetrics, orthopedics, pediatrics, or surgery. The Nursing Supervisor also supervises and evaluates the performance of head nurses, inspects unit areas to see that patient needs are being met, and suggests new methods and procedures when needed. Additional responsibilities include planning and organizing orientation and in-service training for unit staff members and supervising employee and nursing records.

Work Settings
In small hospitals, Health Services Administrators personally coordinate the programs and activities that make an organization function. In larger hospitals, they supervise a staff of assistant administrators who direct daily operations. The Health Services Administrator remains informed through formal and informal meetings with assistants, medical staff, and other hospital workers. Usually, the Hospital Administrator is responsible to a policy-making body, such as a board of trustees. Health Services Administrators working in positions other than hospital administration have varied working conditions.

Special Requirements
A graduate degree in health care or business administration and significant experience as an assistant administrator in a similar type and size institution usually are required for this occupation. The Administrator may be a physician with additional training in administration or an individual with at least five years of health care administration experience in a key position, such as head nurse or financial officer.

Educational Institutions
Century University(B/M/D)
Chapman University(M)
Eastern University(A/B/M/D)
New Mexico State University, Alamogordo(C)
University of New Mexico(B/M/D)

Nursing Home Administrator

Nursing Home Administrators plan, organize, direct, and control the operations of a nursing home or other long-term personal care facility using policies established by the owner of the facility or its governing board.

Work Activities

  • Directing the activities of the medical, nursing, technical, clerical, volunteer, service, and maintenance staffs
  • Maintaining and developing standards, policies, programs, and operating procedures that comply with the most current governmental regulations
  • Administering fiscal operations, such as budget preparation, accounting, and establishing rates for health services
  • Directing the hiring and training of employees
  • Compiling, analyzing, and preparing official reports
  • Speaking at community gatherings and conducting public relations and marketing activities
  • Interviewing families of persons seeking admittance to the facility

In addition to their administrative duties, Nursing Home Administrators may have duties in patient care or service. They may be physicians, registered or licensed practical nurses, or allied health professionals. Also, some are involved in teaching, research, or other professional activities.

Work Settings
Nursing Home Administrators work under the supervision of a proprietor or governing board. In small facilities, Administrators coordinate all aspects of the institution with the assistance of an administrative assistant. Administrators usually assign responsibility for routine tasks to assistant administrators.

Most Nursing Home Administrators work in offices located in the nursing homes. Others work in the business offices of large nursing home corporations that manage several facilities.

Special Requirements
To qualify as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in New Mexico, an applicant must hold a bachelor or higher degree and successfully complete the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators examination.

Educational Institutions
No program information is available.