In 2023, more than 560,000 professionals were employed as medical and health services managers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And it is projected that more than 60,000 positions will be available each year over the next decade.

If you're interested in a management role within the growing healthcare field, read on to learn about healthcare management responsibilities and the skills necessary to succeed in this field.

Healthcare management responsibilities

Healthcare management professionals—also called medical and health services managers—are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services. Most medical and health services managers work in hospitals, according to the BLS, but they can also work in doctors’ offices, nursing and residential care facilities or outpatient settings.

Typical responsibilities

Medical and health services managers help ensure smooth healthcare operations at facilities by combining business strategy with patient-centered care to assist in achieving good patient outcomes as well as organizational mission, vision and values. The BLS cites common daily responsibilities of medical and health services managers, such as:

  • Developing goals and objectives to maintain and increase the efficiency and quality of healthcare services
  • Ensuring their healthcare setting complies with laws and regulations
  • Preparing and monitoring budgets and managing finances, such as patient fees and billing
  • Recruiting, training and supervising staff
  • Creating work schedules
  • Maintaining facility services records, such as the number of inpatient beds used
  • Serving as a representative of the facility or department at investor meetings or on governing boards

Healthcare management skills

Here are the top skills every aspiring healthcare manager should develop, according to the BLS:

  • Analytical skills: Healthcare administrators use these skills when reviewing and evaluating metrics—an important task for improving efficiency and achieving organizational goals. David G. Wolf, Ph.D., professor in the College of Business and Management at Lynn University, adds that “your ability to evaluate and synthesize large amounts of data and make managerial decisions based on that information is a critically important skill.”

  • Communication skills: Communicating effectively is necessary for a successful healthcare management career. These positions often involve communicating with all stakeholders, including staff, patients, families and third parties.

    Wolf emphasizes that strong presentation skills are also essential. “You have to [be able to] stand up in a conference room and conduct a presentation. You have to be comfortable speaking up to advocate for your projects,” he says.

    For some students and recent graduates, this can be difficult at first, but it becomes easier with practice. “In most of my courses, we require presentations throughout the semester to help students get comfortable in front of people when presenting their projects and research,” says Wolf.

  • Detail-oriented: Attention to detail is also helpful in healthcare administration since roles can often involve reviewing detailed operational, financial and regulatory reports and metrics.
  • Leadership skills: Strong leadership skills are integral to success in the healthcare management field. Medical and health services managers are tasked with overseeing others and leading effectively, thereby creating a culture that fosters success in all healthcare environments, including hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, pharmacy organizations and more.
  • Technical skills: It’s valuable for those in health administration to be tech savvy. Modern healthcare technology, including electronic health/medical records, is crucial for delivering patient care and obtaining good patient outcomes. Wolf also points to the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare administration. In his opinion, many executives responsible for hiring healthcare managers “are now looking for foundational AI knowledge.”

Wolf adds that empathy and a desire to drive change are also key qualities for those working in the field. “The phrase that I like to use is that [healthcare management] students have a head for business and a heart for healthcare,” he says. “Most of our students have a personal story—maybe they had a grandparent or parent or sibling who had an experience within the healthcare system that didn't go well—and they want to create change.”

Career outlook for healthcare management positions

Expected growth for medical and health services managers is much faster than average—at 29% through 2033. As current healthcare management professionals change jobs or exit the workforce, there will be an increasing need to replace them.

Some of this expected growth relates to demographics. As the large population of baby boomers continues to age into their senior years, they will likely encounter more health concerns. By 2030, all baby boomers will be at least 65 years old, and they will be the largest segment of the population in the 65 and older age group. In fact, by 2030, older adults will outnumber children under 18 for the first time in U.S. history, according to the Census Bureau. While millennials surpassed them as the largest generation overall, baby boomers will remain the largest segment of the population in the 65 and over age group for several more years. This, in turn, leads to increased demand for healthcare services.

Greater demand means a more pressing need for clinicians and other healthcare professionals to perform the necessary medical procedures and manage healthcare facilities. Organizing and overseeing this increase in medical information and healthcare staff will require more healthcare management.

How to become a healthcare management professional

Earning a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education required to fill various roles in the medical and health services management field. However, it’s important to note that education requirements vary for different hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities.

Requirements also vary depending on the specific functions of a health administration or managerial position. For some roles, employers may require work experience in an administrative or clinical role. This required experience may be in lieu of or in addition to certain education requirements. Furthermore, some medical and health services managers may be required to hold a federal and/or state-issued license.

Earn an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management

Do you have a heart for healthcare and a head for business? Prepare for a thriving career with Lynn University’s online B.S. in Healthcare Management—designed for working professionals and future healthcare leaders. To learn more, reach out to request more information.