My professional goal
My professional goal is to work as health services manager in a governmental healthcare institution. I have basic experience in this field. I have worked as QA supervisor for Angie’s List, and wish to build on this my line of career. Managers of healthcare services, take charge of the administrative and managerial functions of running a clinic or a hospital. According to AGCAS (2011), the role of healthcare managers “is to take responsibility for providing and to the task to commission local healthcare via management of hospitals, general practitioner and/or community health services”. It is expected that strategic planning and coordination of resources by this manager is utilized in attaining the objectives and goals of the healthcare institution. Hence, mangers for healthcare services are required to have, in addition to managerial knowledge, experiences and skill, specific professional medical and healthcare knowledge and skills to enable them effectively give better performance.
The important roles played by healthcare services manager in health and social care organizations is very significant in the attainment of efficient and effective accomplishment of set goals and objectives for healthcare institutions.
Skills required for healthcare services manager in hospitals and clinics include the following:
- Plan, direct , coordinate the delivery of healthcare services in an hospital
- Monitor and ensure quality assurances are adhered to on daily: To analyze reports from supervisors and subordinates and verifying and maintaining patients’ documentation relating to their medical records; this function includes proper staff recruitment, maintaining discipline and effective human resource management.
- Training and supervising agents: To proffer explanation to health workers and subordinates regarding organization’s policies, procedures and benefits
- Reporting any system problems for process improvement and educating new staff for accuracy in transcriptions.
- Managing customer service issues and complaint resolution.
- Monitor medical records, technology applied and ensure best standards are followed
Skills for this job that I already have
As already stated above, I have a one year experience as QA Supervisor for Angie’s List. I am currently studying bachelor of health administration with a specialty in Health Information Technology. As I graduate this year I would have acquired my degree certificate that will add to my educational qualifications for the job.
Also, other of my qualification that will aid me in my supervisory role in my chosen career includes my five years experience in ER Tech/ Unit Secretary/ Medical Transcriptions/ Monitor Tech for John C. Lincoln Medical Center. In this role, I acquired the following skills and experiences which will be very useful for my job application to advance my career in healthcare supervisory administrative roles. My knowledge acquisition in this regards include having insight into medical terminologies, medical transcriptions, and good communication skills. Also, operating medical equipment and office administrative tools.;
Skills I need to acquire
I still need to acquire a masters degree in a managerial course in order to increase my chances of been appointed for the health services manager position I sought for.
My plan for achieving this required qualification is for me to take an MBA course next year after the completion of my first degree course.
What I will look for as the employer
Personal details of applicants are very germane so that the human resource department can contact applicants for written/ oral tests, and successful candidates for job offers.
Also, if an applicant has applied before, with the personal details the human resource could be able to detect this.
I will ensure that applicants have the knowledge language in order to assess how effective applicants are in their communication. Managers of healthcare services are expected to posses’ flawless oratory and written communication. Individual tend to have free flow communication with people they have formed substantial relation with. When there is cordial relationship within the workplace, individuals tend to communicate freely, and exchange ideas. On the other hand, when there is uncertainty and anxiety an individual communication with others is made ineffective and difficulty in passing information is enhanced. According to Duronto et al (2005), fear and uncertainty management theory goes a long way in the explanation of interpersonal and inter-group exchange of information. The findings of their work show that the effect of anxiety and uncertainty arising from communicating with stranger and people of different cultural affiliation has hindered the effective flow of communication. Thus, people tend to avoid communication in such situation where anxiety and uncertainty reign. Thus, to test how competent applicants are for the job, test of the level of composure in communication will be assessed.
Educational qualification is very important in the application from potential job candidates. Applicants would be assessed based on their level of educational qualification and their field of study. To become effective as a healthcare services manager, it is expected that potential candidates should have a university degree and must have health administration degree or any other related field. Having a master degree in management or MBA is a plus.
In addition to the above requirement, applicants’ experience in their current or previous jobs is relevant to show they can effectively perform in their new role as health care services manager. Thus, the organization needs to contact their previous employers and get attestation on how well they have performed and behaved while working as employee in these organizations. Also, the referees will also play the role of supplying management with vital information about the job applicants.
Two questions an employer may likely asked during interview for the post of healthcare services manager would be: How would you manage crisis in a hospital when many of your qualified health practitioners are resigning in droves? How would you ensure the best standard practice in healthcare deliver is maintained in your hospital?
For the first question, I will answer those workers in the hospital should be adequately motivated and given the best of conducive working environment by providing the right tools in which they need to effectively carry out their job functions. When these are present, then there won’t be any need for the hospital best hands to continue to resign and look for job elsewhere.
For the second question, I will answer that regular training of healthcare practitioners in the hospital is needed to make them have the required skill to keep on to the best of standard practices.
References
AGCAS (2011). “Health Service Manager”, Prospects http://www.prospects.ac.uk/health_service_manager_job_description.htm (14 Dec., 2013)
Duronto, Patrick, M., et al. (2005). “Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Avoidance in Communication with Strangers”, International Journal of Intercultural Relations Volume 29, Issue 5, September.
