Skip to content

3 Executive Leadership Strategies in the Medical Field

4 Min Read

Today’s innovative health care environment brings with it an opportunity for those interested in business to practice executive leadership that is centered on patient care and the patient’s family. This practice is rewarding to these professionals because it gives them the ability to offer patients safe, quality care that is financially sound and evidence based.

Medical and Health Services Managers are in High Demand

The recent legislation expanding the access to medical care, in conjunction with the aging population, has created more opportunities for healthcare professionals to excel in the medical field.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) projects that medical office administrator jobs and health services manager positions will grow by 23% from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average for every other occupation (11%).

As of 2012, the typical health services manager and medical administration salary is nearly $90,000 per year.

The Path to Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

A hospital CEO is a member of the hospital’s executive management team and that role includes:

  • Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the hospital
  • Serving as a moral leader, articulating the mission and vision of the hospital to the community
  • Playing an active role in developing the hospital’s strategic visions and policies

Hospital CEOs typically hold a Master of Health Administration or Hospital Administration and often have at least eight years’ experience working in administrative, healthcare, and management positions.

The Importance of Leadership Strategies and Evidence-Based Management Skills

Leadership and evidence-based management skills are a necessity in every medical facility throughout the nation. A medical facility’s CEO is essential for managing performance levels.

However, a CEO is only as good as their leadership strategies are. Research indicates that the success of long-term business performance relies on the continued development of leadership strategies at every management level. By creating effective leadership strategies, a healthcare facility can ensure that performance levels will continue to thrive indefinitely.

3 Executive Leadership Strategies in the Medical Field

1. Develop Leaders at Every Level and Promote from Within

Medical administration needs to concentrate on developing leaders from the bottom up. Research indicates that this inverse pyramid is a very effective technique. This approach eliminates the need for a CEO to try and push their leadership strategies down each level. This inverse pyramid strategy works because implementation occurs through supervisors, middle managers, and line managers.

Promoting from within is one of the best ways to develop a strong group of leaders for every management level. Adhering to this practice ensures that if the CEO is replaced, the company will continue to thrive because of its firmly established leadership values.

2. Use the PACT System to Ensure Open Communication

Every medical office administrator knows that communication is a vital tool in making plans, obtaining results and continually developing staff members. For two decades, the Patient Aligned Care Team System, or PACT, has been used in a variety of organizations, such as the Veterans Health Administration. Adherence to this system helps ensure effective communication throughout any health care facility.

The acronym PACT symbolizes the four values expected in every leadership communication. These values are pride, accountability, commitment, and trust. This intuitive system is easy to understand and can be implemented immediately as a means to improve the communication skills of each staff member.

3. Make an Investment in Leadership Development

Executive leadership programs are designed for associate and senior leaders. These programs offer participants the ability to re-energize. They are also designed to address ways to employ new strategies.

Companies whose leadership programs rank at the top of the Fortune Magazine-AON Hewitt list spend nearly 35% more on the development of each manager’s leadership skills than their peers do.

A mature level of leadership development offers a greater impact on a business’ long-term performance than any of the other aspects that affect their performance. Operational execution occurs at the mid and supervisory levels. If these healthcare professionals are trained, coached and aligned properly, the establishment will thrive.

An organization relies on its leaders to steer business in the right direction. And in a people-oriented business such as health care, effective leadership means having the skills necessary to guide, coach, and influence people in ways that are of most benefit to the company and its staff. Obtaining an advanced degree in health care administration is an excellent way to acquire the leadership skills necessary for success in this demanding field.

Recommended Articles

View All

Get Started

Back to Top