Postgraduate courses in Healthcare Management

If there is one thing we’ve realized in the last number of months, it is the importance of healthcare and how much we rely, appreciate and truly need those who help keep the healthcare system show on the road. 

Healthcare management is extremely important to ensure services and care provided is up to standard and runs as smoothly as possibly for the benefit of both healthcare workers and the patients they treat. 

There are a few courses in this area that will allow you to be a healthcare manager to a high standard, whether you’re new to the industry and want to develop your skills or you’ve worked in the industry and are eager to keep developing and adding to your existing knowledge. 

What does a healthcare manager do?

The daily duties of a healthcare manager may differ from day to day. As a healthcare manager you may work 9am-5pm and be on call in the evening should anything arise. You may also be on call at weekends and with the possibility of working extra hours around your normal 9-5. Some healthcare managers may also specialise in particular areas, for example, HR, finance or general management. Duties may include: 

• Develop services and make changes in current services 
• Assess current services and continuously make improvements
• Direct, coordinate resources both medical and non-medical resources
• Administer and direct resources, facilities and services
• Recruit staff
• Report writing
• Manage budgets 
• Attend meetings and conferences
• Work with and liaise with clerical, medical and professional staff 
• Handle complaints and problems in a professional manner
• Ensure services meet health and safety standards and monitor performance
• Ensure rules and regulations are followed by staff and colleagues

Courses

There are many courses on offer in the area across the UK. Some courses offer the opportunity to study either part time or full time. Universities may have certain restrictions in place due to Coivd-19 and may offer courses online. Courses available include:

Leadership and Management in Health

Postgraduate courses in Leadership and Management in Health will allow students to gain the relevant skills and knowledge to take on a management role and perform well in the role. Key areas that are focused on include management skills, health service administration, learning and researching modelling and theories. 

Other courses available which would be helpful in the position of a Healthcare manager include Medical Law and Ethics, Health Economics, Advanced Clinical Practice, Primary Healthcare and Leadership in Health and Social Care, to name a few. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements may differ from course to course or university to university. Therefore, it is important to research your specific course in detail to ensure you meet the entry requirements. As these courses are postgraduate courses, you will need a bachelor’s degree. Some courses may accept a 2.2 degree while others will require a 2.1. A degree in a relevant discipline is desired.

Salary

The salary of a healthcare manager may depend on their type of employment, the size of the company/corporation they are with and the location of their work. It is believed that the average salary of a healthcare manager in the UK is around £34,756. Working with the NHS, you will most likely start out on the Graduate Management Training Scheme and earn just over £24,600. The average salary on the scheme at the end of the scheme may be anywhere between £27,000-£37,000. Senior levels of management may earn in excess of £90,000. All figures are based on estimates and are intended to be used as a guide only. 

Employers

Employers of healthcare managers include: 

• Hospitals
• Healthcare facilities
• Care facilities
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Government agencies
• Research organisations/laboratories
• Universities
• Physician/GP Practitioners

Skills and requirements 

Skills and requirements helpful in this area include: 

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Ability to manage in a diverse environment 
• Organisation skills 
• Commercial awareness
• Motivational to colleagues and staff
• Ability to make connections and build relationships 
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Stamina 
• Critical thinker 
• Ability to resolve conflict, complaints or issues
• Ability to stay calm when there are issues
• Financial and budgeting skills
• Trustworthy, dependable 
• Work well with others
• Budgeting skills
• Project management skills 
• Ability to deal with complex issues