Healthcare is a dynamic and multifaceted field that requires
administrative professionals that are flexible and adaptive. Healthcare
administrators have to undergo a robust training in the various complexities in
relation to providing patient care and have to possess interpersonal skills and
business savvy to manage healthcare organizations.
A collaborative effort of various healthcare leaders, under
the guidance of Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA), provided a list of these
skills. The 802 identified competencies fall into five categories of core competencies:
communication, leadership, professionalism, knowledge, and business skills. Healthcare
professionals can refer to the HLA competency directory for self-assessment of
their strengths and limitations. However, it is essential to understand these
core competencies and their application in the healthcare industry before
assessing oneself.
Communication and Relationship Management
Healthcare administrators need to be able to effectively
communicate and relate with patients, vendors, physicians, industry leaders,
investors, government authorities, and fellow administrators. Healthcare
administrators must be able to show each of the above cadre of persons that
they are of equal significance. This expression of equality in importance may
become challenging especially when various parties have competing interests.
Therefore, relationship management, which demands excellent communication skills,
forms an essential attribute of any healthcare professional.
An effective leader understands that communication goes
beyond oral skills; it also entails the ability to listen, write, and
effectively present information. Healthcare professionals must ensure that each
of the parties with whom they correspond maintain focus on a major goal that
aligns to the organization's values.
Leadership
Leading involves being more than just the boss; true
leadership entails demonstrating class, character, and leading by example. Good
leaders identify and recognize the particular needs and priorities of staff,
and develop creative approaches for promoting teamwork while influencing others
to align their priorities with the organization's objectives.
Successful leaders are sensitive to the organizational situation
and apply organic strategies for goal orientation and enabling effective change
within an organization.
Professionalism
In line with being a firm leader, healthcare administrators
must also radiate professionalism. This relates to much more than maintaining
steady composure in the face of adversity; it also pertains to modeling an
accountable and ethical culture within the human resource. Additionally,
professionalism encompasses demonstrating and facilitating lifelong learning.
The healthcare industry evolves fast and therefore healthcare administrators
need to be on top of recent mandates. They should strive to acquire knowledge
and disseminate it while enhancing professional growth among team members.
Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment
A thorough understanding of the healthcare system is
requisite in promoting professionalism. This knowledge includes the business
side of matters in connection to finance, insurance, procurement, and payouts. Other pertinent areas of knowledge include
human resource operations, patient’s rights, risk management, and
organizational policies.
Business Skills
A working knowledge of the business side of healthcare
administration is not self-sufficient; healthcare administrators must apply
knowledge and manage the diverse areas of operation relative to organizational
performance.
Every competency and skill integrates with others at all
times.
Implementing and Applying the Competencies as a Healthcare Administrator
Applying the competencies means merging them, so that they
work together to build upon one another. For instance, without knowledge or
communication skills, it is difficult for one to be a truly effective leader.
The competencies may apply to the business of healthcare administration in the
following ways:
- General
Management: This refers to the day-to-day operations in which an
administrator displays knowledge of procedures, professionalism in
handling issues, and leadership in uniting staff towards a common goal.
- Risk
Management and Quality Improvement: The administrators need to
demonstrate professionalism, knowledge, and business skills as they make
decisions about compliance, plan for potential threats and issues while looking
for ways to improve operations and ensure delivery of quality care.
Successful implementation necessitates solid leadership and communication
skills as relevant parties and stakeholders have to understand and be in
agreement with plans developed and implemented.
- Financial
Management: There is need for proper and wise management of
budgets and investments. Administrators have to exhibit leadership and
communication skills in addition to their professional business knowledge
by conducting financial analyses and by developing reimbursement
strategies while forecasting the outcomes. This must then be communicated
to partners and other administrative leaders to ensure everyone is on the
same page.
These scenarios explore only a handful of the ways in which a
healthcare administrator can successfully apply the competencies in a
healthcare setting on a day-to-day basis. No one competency is more valuable
than the other; rather, they are complementary, which is why healthcare
administrators are such well-rounded individuals whose skills are highly
coveted within the ever-expanding field of healthcare.
