Healthcare management education often covers topics like organization analysis, industry trends, and financial management, giving future employees a strong foundation for any role. However, today’s employers are seeking professionals with specific skills.
The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management program from the University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) provides future healthcare professionals with essential skills for the competitive job market. Employees trained in healthcare management can apply their skills in various jobs in manager, director, analyst, or executive roles. Learn more about which skills are in demand and how to attain them.
- A Passion for Management
An article on healthcare management from StatPearls notes that “improving management skills can further enhance the quality of health services.” Employees need not only medical knowledge but also strong management skills, particularly when working with subordinates or organizing a complex network of employees. In fact, “well-managed staff can lead to well-managed patients. Hence, sound management (and leadership) skills can impact positively on patients’ health outcomes,” per StatPearls.
It is essential that future managers not only understand their responsibilities and team dynamics but also demonstrate a passion for working with other people in this context. Many skills that add up to good management, as shown below.
- Balancing Leadership With Being Part of the Team
Good managers are bold leaders and team players. The best managers know how to direct a team confidently and effectively while showing compassion and care for their counterparts. Employees want to feel understood by their managers to collaborate, so both of these elements are essential, according to Eyes On Eyecare.
- Clear Communication
An essential element of good leadership and teamwork is the ability to communicate. That means not only transmitting information clearly and tactfully but also remaining a receptive listener. Showing understanding goes a long way for managers in the healthcare industry.
- Adaptability
Zipline includes adaptability as one of its top healthcare managerial skills, stating, “If you find a new system or method difficult to use, take time to study it.” Information changes rapidly in this industry. Good managers respond quickly, assess risks, and act when needed.
- Multi-Tasking
Though there is also an argument for the importance of monotasking, the reality of many healthcare roles is that multi-tasking will be necessary. Leaders must also be able to take tasks and run with them in a high-speed environment.
- Medical Knowledge
Though healthcare managers may not be required to have the same knowledge base as doctors, having a keen interest in developing this area of expertise is invaluable. The more a manager learns, the more effective they will be in addressing specific areas of concern at their workplace.
- An Interest in Innovation
To foster an active knowledge base, one must continue learning about new trends, tools, and stats in the healthcare industry. Ideally, this can help managers get ahead of the curve and make improvements to the workflow of the organization as well as patient care.
- Financial Acumen
Proficiency in finance is a crucial skill for those pursuing roles as analysts or financial managers. That is why the online MBA in Healthcare Management program from UMSV prepares students with courses like Health Care Finance and Foundations of Accounting, Finance & Economics.
- Marketing Savvy
Skills in marketing are also valuable throughout the healthcare industry, including in public relations and communications strategy. UMSV’s program likewise offers a Marketing for Health Care Programs course and a Foundations of Marketing & the Management of Information Systems course to cover these vital services.
- The Ability to Remain Calm
Healthcare managers may find themselves in stressful situations. When under pressure, leaders must stay calm and professionally solve problems. A composed demeanor is one of the most useful attributes for management roles.
With these skills, graduates of UMSV’s online MBA in Healthcare Management program are equipped to succeed in their careers. Whether they pursue jobs as healthcare consultants, healthcare executives, finance managers, clinical directors, or biopharmaceutical managers, their organizations and teams will thrive under their leadership.
Learn more about the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s online MBA in Healthcare Management program.
