How to become a Hospital Administrator

Hospital administrators plan, direct and coordinate health and administrative services provided by hospitals, community health services, aged-care facilities, private healthcare facilities and other health service organisations.

Personal requirements for a Hospital Administrator

Able to analyse and solve problems
Good planning, organisational and decision-making skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills

Education & Training for a Hospital Administrator

To become a hospital administrator you usually have to complete a degree in health management at university. You may also consider a degree in business with a health-related major. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have work experience in the health industry.

Duties & Tasks of a Hospital Administrator

Hospital administrators:

Prepare annual funding estimates, forecasting the demand for services and allocating budgets
Improve and maintain delivery of health services by planning the services and accounting for the cost of care and the distribution of staff
Represent the health service by attending meetings, seminars and functions
Talk to members of the community, local interest groups, politicians, industry associations and the media in relation to the organisation and the services provided
Act as liaison officer between the governing body of the health organisation and health authorities
Manage staff in areas such as cleaning, safety, maintenance, records and accounts
Take part in identifying problems and needs within the health service by attending staff meetings
Liaise with medical and nursing staff
Interpret industrial awards and other regulations concerning staff employment contracts
Develop and implement new policies and procedures
Participate in the promotion of occupational health and safety management within the organisation.

Tasks

May undertake responsibility for some or all of accounting, sales, marketing, human resources and other specialist operations
Authorising the funding of major policy implementation programs
Consulting with immediate subordinates and departmental heads on matters such as methods of operation, equipment requirements, finance, sales and human resources
Planning policy, and setting standards and objectives for organisations
Providing day-to-day direction and management of organisations, and directing and endorsing policy to fulfil objectives, achieve specific goals, and maximise profit and efficiency
Assessing changing situations and responding accordingly by issuing commands and directives to subordinate staff
Selecting and managing the performance of senior staff
Preparing, or arranging for the preparation of, reports, budgets and forecasts, and presenting them to governing bodies
Representing the organisation at official occasions, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums, and liaising between areas of responsibility

Employment Opportunities for a Hospital Administrator

Hospital administrators are employed by public and private hospitals, community health centres, aged-care facilities and other health organisations. Their work may involve strategy, operations and managing clinical practices or entire health systems. Some are employed by health authorities or government departments. They may also work as self-employed consultants.Demand for this occupation is largely influenced by government funding, and competition for available positions is strong. There is an increasing demand for administrators with postgraduate qualifications, as well as good financial and management skills.

Specializations

Hospital Administrator

Average age
47
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
33% female
Average full-time
47 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
86%
Employment Size
60,300
Employment by state
ACT: 2.7%
NSW: 32.0%
NT: 1.1%
QLD: 17.8%
SA: 6.5%
TAS: 1.6%
VIC: 27.2%
WA: 11.0%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.1%
20-24: 0.9%
25-34: 12.3%
35-44: 29.6%
45-54: 33%
55-59: 11.5%
60-64: 6.9%
65 and Over: 5.7%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 15.6%
Bachelor degree: 29.6%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 12.4%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 21.7%
Year 10 and below: 4.7%
Year 11: 2.5%
Year 12: 13.5%
Years 11 & 10: 4.8%