Hospital administrators coordinate all departments within a healthcare facility to ensure they function as a whole. Their expertise is required to administer, plan, organize, direct, and monitor the outcomes of medical and health services. Although the role of a hospital administrator varies from one institution to the next, their duties most often include:

  •   Serving as liaisons among governing boards, medical staff, and department heads
  •   Recruiting, hiring, and evaluating nurses, doctors, and assistant administrators
  •   Organizing, directing, controlling, and coordinating services as set forth by the hospital board
  •   Overseeing the creation and implementation of programs and policies for patient
  • services, quality assurance, public relations outreach, and departmental activities
  •   Developing and expanding programs and services for scientific research and preventive medicine (research hospitals)

Hospital administrators must stay current on any laws and regulations that impact the healthcare or hospital industry, as well as medical and technological advances. As business leaders, hospital administrators must oversee:

  • Long-term planning
  • Operating objectives and budgets
  • The efficient delivery of medical services
  • Financial reports
  • Hospital policy changes

Their strong interpersonal skills are required when supervising and mentoring staff, interacting with the community, and collaborating with governing boards.