In Healthcare Operations Part 1, we started by covering policy, process, and procedure. We defined them and touched on why they are an integral part of your healthcare organization. Then in Operations Part 2, we switched gears to talk about what to look for and how to manage your healthcare operation and its processes effectively and efficiently. In Operations Part 3, we will discuss healthcare operations management and the traits and daily activities of a healthcare operations manager.
For companies to work efficiently and be profitable and sustainable, managers need to have in-depth knowledge of healthcare operations as well as the skills combined with the experience to apply them. This blog will illustrate what healthcare operations management is and what you need to know about it.
What is Healthcare Operations Management?
Prominent examples of operations management in healthcare include controlling costs and improving the quality of services provided to patients. The goal of healthcare operations management is to streamline costs and to obtain funding to maintain adequate levels and quality of services offered.
Day to Day Responsibilities of a Healthcare Operations Manager
The responsibilities of Healthcare Managers and Administrators vary slightly depending upon the setting in which they work. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook, Healthcare Managers are responsible for:
- Working with other healthcare professionals to improve the efficiency and quality in the delivery of direct healthcare services.
- Staying abreast of changes and new laws and regulations in order for the healthcare facilities where they work to adequately comply with those regulations.
- Supervising assistant Healthcare Administrators in healthcare facilities that are large enough to employ them.
- Management of the finances of the Healthcare Facility, such as managing overhead costs, patient fees, and billing.
- Creation of work and shift schedules for both direct care providers and other administrators.
- Representation of the facility at investor meetings or at meetings of any governing boards.
- Keeping and organizing records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient rooms/beds currently being used by patients.
- Communication with members of the medical staff and department heads.
Healthcare Managers must be capable of multitasking and tackling many different responsibilities simultaneously. In addition to these general responsibilities, these professionals also have facility-specific responsibilities.
Ideal Traits of Healthcare Operations Managers
Healthcare Operations management’s emphasis is on the efficiency of the business processes and procedures. As such, management of a healthcare operation depends on measurement and analysis of those processes and procedures, such as cutting costs through effective utilization of human resources.
An individual working in healthcare management must understand the various processes within the organization. Healthcare operations managers are involved in coordinating and developing new processes while reevaluating current structures. Organization and productivity are two key drivers of being a successful healthcare operations manager, and the work often requires versatility.
For help with your Healthcare Operations Management, contact us today.
Information sourced from:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_management
- http://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/what-operations-management
- https://hbr.org/topic/operations-management
- https://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/academic-groups/operations-management/about-us
- http://managementhelp.org/operationsmanagement/
- http://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/operations-management.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/051515/what-are-some-examples-operations-management-healthcare.asp
- https://www.healthcare-management-degree.net/faq/what-are-the-daily-responsibilities-of-healthcare-managers/
