Hospital Management
What does a hospital manager do?
Responsible for the overall running of hospitals with the potential to impact upon and change health care delivery. Working with all specialities, coordinating and directing the work of others can be challenging and you may have to make unpopular decisions. Grades range from a service manager all the way to Chief Executive. Not to be confused with public health and primary health care management, although the former has a clear path and the later has several similar career steps. Good future prospects and opportunities to take your skills abroad are welcomed.
Medical Similarities
Clinicians offer favourable transferable skills including:
- Professional integrity
- Situational and practical experience from working within a hospital
- Working across several specialities
- Working under pressure
- Team working
Hours
~ 50 hours per week (junior level)
Lifestyle
Managers can work some of the longest hours in the hospitals but less antisocial hours and there are part time and job sharing opportunities. Potentially you may have to take a pay cut at a junior level.
Attributes
Leadership experience
Business and political awareness
Analytical skills and problem solving
Time management as well as the ability to multi task
Getting Ahead
MBA
Management tasks in hospital, particularly those involved in resource planning
Representative posts eg BMA local and regional; trainee groups
Further Info
NHS Graduate Scheme
NHS Gateway to Leadership
Institute of Healthcare Management
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