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Careers in Health Systems Management
A career in Health Systems Management (HSM) is an opportunity for RNs interested in making a difference in the healthcare field. An HSM career provides career stability, great places to work, opportunities to "do good" for others, continuous growth, and excellent advancement and leadership potential.
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers will see employment opportunities growing "faster than average" and projected to increase by 16 percent from 2002 to 2016. The typical credential for work in this field is a master’s degree and the median compensation is $73,340.
An HSM career has positions available in various settings such as hospitals/hospital systems, consulting firms, health insurance and managed care organizations, physician practices, healthcare associations, nursing homes, universities and research institutions, mental health organizations, public health departments, and rehabilitation centers.
Here are some suggested career paths for students with an online Master of Science in Nursing Health Systems Management degree:
Director of Surgical Services
Under the general direction of the Chief Nursing Officer, the Director of Surgical Services performs leadership and managerial responsibilities of Surgical Services, including OR, PACU, SDS, and CDS. These activities include personnel, staff development, and budget compliance, as well as interface with patients, families, physicians, and community agencies. The Director also ensures compliance with Standards of appropriate regulatory agencies.
Director of Clinic Operations
Directs and administers day-to-day activities of hospital's clinic operations in accordance with established hospital policies to provide high quality healthcare services. Ensures economical and efficient performance under guidance of hospital's goals, objectives, and clinical operating budget. May require an advanced degree and at least 7 years of direct experience in the field.
Director of Nursing/Chief Nursing Executive
Plans and directs all nursing personnel. Develops and implements nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives. Reviews nursing department operations to ensure compliance with established standards. Ensures that all patients receive the highest quality care. Requires a master's degree in area of specialty and at least 15 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
Director of Patient Accounts
Oversees all functions of the in-patient and/or out-patient accounting office and staff of credit, collection, insurance, and billing. Coordinates activities to meet billing deadlines. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty and at least 7 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others.
Director of Home Care
Responsible for strategic planning and profitability, and accountable for all operations and programs. Administers, directs and coordinates the business. Requires a bachelor's degree with at least 15 years of experience in the field. Familiar with a variety of the field's concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Typically reports to a Board of Directors.
Department Director
Directs the staff and programs of a specific department in a hospital or other medical facility. Ensures the highest standards of quality and service. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to top management.
Nurse Practitioner
Examines and treats patients independently and in autonomous collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Ensures proper illness and injury care and disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Requires a master's degree in area of specialty, national board certification as a nurse practitioner in an area of specialty, 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area, and is licensed as a nurse practitioner. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.
Hospital Administrator
Responsible for overall management of health services centers; follow policies set by governing board of trustees; and plan, organize, direct, control or coordinator medical and health services in hospitals, out-patient clinics, convalescent hospitals, drug-abuse treatment centers and similar long-term care facilities.
Health Information Administrator
Collects, processes, retrieves, analyzes, and disseminates healthcare information for purposes of patient care, research, managerial planning, and decision making. To maintain confidentiality and ensure that the health data system meets the standards and regulations of government agencies and accrediting and professional organizations. Additional information available includes essential job functions, additional responsibilities, and education and experience requirements.
Nurse Consultant, Managed Care
Acts as a liaison between the corporation in dealing with individual and institutional providers and with members to maximize quality of care and cost-effective utilization of services. At least half of the consultant's time is spent in field work at provider facilities and member workplaces. Additional information available includes essential job functions, additional responsibilities, and education and experience requirements.
Health Services Manager
Plans, directs, coordinates, and supervises the delivery of healthcare. Generalists manage an entire facility, while specialists manage a department. Managers liaise with all levels of medical staff, while considering the demands of political policy and local circumstances. Liaising and negotiating with medical (often at the most senior levels) and non-medical staff internally, and with people in external organizations, e.g. social services, voluntary groups or the private sector.
Clinical Manager
Establishes and implements policies, objectives, and procedures for their departments. Evaluates personnel and work quality. Develops reports and budgets, and coordinates activities with other managers.
Health Information Manager
Responsible for the maintenance and security of all patient records. Recent regulations enacted by the Federal Government require that all healthcare providers maintain electronic patient records and that these records be secure. As a result, health information managers must keep up with current computer and software technology and with legislative requirements.
Additional Resources
Below are some helpful resources you can use to further explore career opportunities in health systems management.
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