Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hospital Manager

A Hospital Manager is a professional who oversees the administrative and operational aspects of a healthcare facility. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the hospital and delivering quality patient care. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Hospital Managers.
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Main Responsibilities of a Hospital Manager
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Hospital Manager:
Advise
Advise management and supervisory staff on a variety of human resource topics.
Assign
Assign job responsibility to each staff member.
Assist in
Assist colleagues in follow-up and future management of the patient.
Assist DVMs with submission for the HOPE charity fund as needed.
Assist Hospital Administrator in ensuring VCA cash control and cash handling standards are followed.
Assist Hospital Administrator plan and / or participate in hospital management meetings.
Assist Hospital Administrator review accounts receivable to confirm proper and timely processes.
Assist Hospital Administrator to issue building access codes and keys to staff as needed.
Assist in training new VEG hires and ensuring they understand hospital procedures and guidelines.
Assist with managing accounts receivable, banking, and payment plans.
Attend
Attend and participate in doctors meetings.
Attend regional meetings.
Build
Build and maintain relationships with referral hospitals and community partners.
Carry out
Carry out or delegate the end-of-day paperwork and make bank deposits.
Check
Check all transactions for accuracy and missed services through regular daily audits.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with MD to create business plan for the year.
Collaborate with MD to create the marketing plan for the year.
Collaborate with the hospital's governing board and participate in decision-making processes.
Communicate
Communicate the practice's values and mission to the team.
Conduct
Conduct regular meetings and provide leadership guidance to staff.
Coordinate
Coordinate and collaborate with medical staff, department heads, and other healthcare professionals.
Cultivate
Cultivate relationships within the veterinary community.
Delegate
Delegate, motivate and coordinate.
Delegate tasks as needed to staff members.
Delegate tasks to as needed to staff members.
Develop
Develop and execute marketing strategy.
Develop and grow future leaders.
Develop and implement marketing and public relations strategies.
Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders such as insurance providers and government agencies.
Develop, execute and oversee an annual marketing plan for the hospital.
Develop strategic plans to achieve the hospital's goals.
Drive
Drive financial performance, direct customer experience and support positive community relations.
Ensure
Ensure billing, calculation of any discounts and other special accounts are handled properly.
Ensure collections and returned checks are handled properly by hospital staff.
Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Ensure effective call back systems are maintained and utilized routinely.
Ensure hospital equipment is functional and maintained.
Ensure payroll is completed and submitted accurately and in a timely manner.
Ensure that all hospital logs are being kept up to date and accurate including.
Ensure that marketing events are effective - internal and external.
Ensure that the hospital staff follows instructions for implementing authorized marketing.
Ensure that the hospital staff utilizes the VCA marketing tools and materials.
Ensure that the OSHA and Safety program and procedures are being continuously.
Ensure that the OSHA and Safety program, procedures and reporting are being.
Ensure the hospital remains clean and in an orderly condition.
Ensure your team is consistently providing a level 3 customer experience.
Establish
Establish and maintain an enriching, fun, and respectful environment for your staff.
Establish and maintain effective communication channels within the hospital.
Evaluate
Evaluate and monitor the performance of hospital departments.
Evaluate and negotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers.
Facilitate
Facilitate an enriching, fun, and respectful environment for your team and their staff.
Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and promote interdisciplinary care.
Focus on
Focus on exceeding client expectations.
Foster
Foster a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning.
Handle
Handle all repair, maintenance and upkeep of the building, property and equipment.
Handle patient complaints and concerns effectively.
Hire
Hire, train, review, schedule discipline, and discharge employees.
Implement
Implement hospital policy, including DEA / Controlled Substances and OSHA.
Implement infection control protocols and ensure a safe environment for patients and staff.
Implement policies and procedures to improve patient care and safety.
Implement quality improvement initiatives and ensure adherence to quality standards.
Implement risk management strategies to minimize potential liabilities.
Inspire
Inspire the team to consistently provide a level 3 customer experience.
Lead
Lead staff to deliver excellent Client Experience.
Maintain
Maintain a dependable and flexible schedule to insure the needs of the hospital are met.
Maintain an enriching, fun, and respectful environment for the staff.
Maintain confidentiality and ensure the security of patient information.
Make
Make certain bank deposits are made daily.
Manage
Manage accounts receivable and cash on hand.
Manage and oversee the usage and inventory of controlled drugs.
Manage cash control, including petty cash and making regular bank deposits.
Manage healthcare technology systems and ensure their optimal utilization.
Manage HR-related responsibilities in compliance with state and federal law.
Manage staff scheduling so the practice operates within budget.
Manage the hospital's accreditation and compliance processes.
Manage the overall operations of the hospital.
Meet
Meet regularly with the veterinary staff to review financial performance.
Meet the needs of the clients, your team and the business.
Meet with the Medical Director and Regional Medical Director and / or Regional.
Meet with the Medical Director and Regional Operations Director or District.
Minimize
Minimize patient stress and discomfort.
Modify
Modify and update systems, guidelines, and procedures as needed.
Monitor
Monitor and analyze key performance indicators to drive operational improvements.
Monitor and approve all expenditures within guidelines.
Monitor and assist with crematory procedures by doing regular audits.
Monitor and manage the hospital's inventory and supplies.
Monitor employee competence and effectiveness.
Monitor front office staff scheduling so the practice operates within budget.
Monitor janitorial responsibilities.
Monitor staff scheduling and update hospital labor budget so the practice operates within budget.
Monitor staff scheduling so the practice operates within budget.
Monitor staff scheduling, so the practice operates within budget.
Monitor the cost of purchasing so the practice operates within budget.
Motivate
Motivate front office staff.
Motivate associates and helps build and maintain morale.
Organize
Organize and conduct staff meetings.
Oversee
Oversee billing, accounts receivable, and financial metrics.
Oversee billing, calculation of any discounts and other special accounts.
Oversee budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation.
Oversee call back system including overdue reminder calls.
Oversee client flow to ensure an excellent experience.
Oversee collections and returned checks.
Oversee facility and equipment maintenance and repairs, ensuring current maintenance of a repair log.
Oversee follow-up communication system.
Oversee inventory management to ensure that the hospital operates within budget.
Oversee maintenance / housekeeping of both the inside and outside of the building.
Oversee one-on-one leadership sessions / development plans for non-DVM staff.
Oversee OSHA and safety program – procedures and implementation.
Oversee petty cash control and all other accounting functions established.
Oversee proper utilization of marketing tools and materials.
Oversee staff scheduling in When to Work.
Oversee that charges have been reviewed on a daily basis.
Oversee that records are kept up to date.
Oversee that the VCA safety procedures are implemented and followed.
Oversee training of all staff in accordance to the principals of the VCA Mission.
Oversight
Oversight and development of onboarding, training, and continuity programs.
Participate in
Participate in community outreach programs and health education initiatives.
Participate in the annual evaluation process with the Hospital Manager.
Partnership
Partnership with clients, ensuring a positive experience for them and their pets.
Perform
Perform a wide range of difficult to complex.
Perform transaction corrections.
Plan
Plan and coordinate emergency preparedness and disaster response.
Plan hospital management meetings.
Plan, participate and support public relations, marketing events, and programs.
Prepare
Prepare and deliver employee evaluations and file documentation appropriately.
Prepare new-hire packets and discuss with new associates.
Prepare or revise progressive disciplinary documents.
Prepare packets of information to be sent to the corporate office.
Provide
Provide backup to CSR Lead to perform transaction corrections.
Purchase
Purchase equipment, as needed, to increase hospital efficiency and flow.
Purchase supplies and equipment and periodically review purchases to optimize spending.
Read
Read and respond to all communication in a timely manner.
Read and respond to all communication promptly.
Recommend
Recommend hiring with appropriate references.
Recruit
Recruit, interview prospective employees.
Recruit, train, and supervise staff members.
Report
Report any HR related issues back to the Hospital Manager and Medical Director.
Resolve
Resolve conflicts and address ethical dilemmas within the hospital.
Review
Review accounts receivable to confirm the proper and timely process.
Review and approve staff reimbursement requests within guidelines.
Review and management of non-medical client complaints.
Review charges daily to ensure that all charges have been captured.
Review charges on a daily basis to ensure that all charges have been captured.
Review financials monthly with the Hospital Medical Director to prepare and submit the yearly budget.
Review income statements and other financial data to improve revenues and profitability.
Review, prepare and submit all accounts payable and receivable.
Schedule
Schedule and manage monthly technician and client service coordinator meetings.
Schedule doctor meetings.
Schedule regular doctors meetings.
Sort
Sort and process the daily mail.
Stay updated on
Stay updated on healthcare policies, regulations, and reimbursement systems.
Stay updated on industry trends, advancements, and best practices.
Supervise
Supervise staff to assure that each job is being effectively handled.
Supervise staff to ensure that each job is being effectively handled.
Supervise the administration and case review of client medical complaints.
Supervise the administration and case review of client service or medical complaints.
Supervise, train and hire all non-doctor staff.
Support
Support all aspects of operations of a busy animal hospital.
Support as needed for you and your team.
Support HR-related responsibilities in compliance with state and federal law.
Support the hospital by making informed decisions in the Hospital Manager's absence.
Support the recruitment of medical professionals.
Train
Train staff to handle difficult client interactions and assist as needed.
Understand
Understand, participate, and support planned marketing events and programs.
Utilize
Utilize HR systems to recruit and onboard new hires.
Verify
Verify receipt of all inventory and proper coding of invoices for payment.
Verify receipt of all supplies, mark invoices and packing slips received and send them.
Work with
Work in collaboration with co-manager balancing strengths and leadership.
Work with regional management to prepare and submit the yearly budget.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Hospital Manager:
Healthcare administration and management
Financial management and budgeting
Knowledge of healthcare regulations and compliance
Strategic planning and decision-making
Human resources management
Quality improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma)
Project management
Data analysis and interpretation
Health information technology systems
Electronic health records (EHR) management
Healthcare billing and coding
Healthcare ethics and legal considerations
Health insurance and reimbursement processes
Health and safety regulations
Facility management
Healthcare policy and advocacy
Risk management and patient safety
Information security and privacy regulations
Health informatics and data management
Continuous professional development.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Hospital Manager:
Leadership and team management
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Adaptability and flexibility
Emotional intelligence and empathy
Conflict resolution and negotiation
Time management and organization
Decision-making and prioritization
Collaboration and relationship-building
Cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Hospital Manager plays a pivotal role in the effective functioning of a healthcare facility. They are responsible for managing various aspects of the hospital, ensuring compliance with regulations, and delivering quality patient care. To excel in this role, Hospital Managers need a combination of technical skills related to healthcare administration, financial management, and regulatory compliance, as well as soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving.