Healthcare professionals who transition into management roles often bring with them a variety of skills. Some come from previous healthcare experience and others come from experience gained outside of the healthcare world, but they can all contribute to success in healthcare management. But what exactly are the best skill sets for healthcare management? In this blog post, we will explore the general traits that are essential for those who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare management.
Communication Skills
Healthcare management positions require excellent communication skills. Managers need to effectively communicate with staff, patients, and other healthcare providers. Managers also need to be able to motivate staff to perform their best, actively listen to concerns, and provide feedback. Being able to effectively listen is just as important as being able to effectively speak.
A successful healthcare manager has a personality that is outgoing and assertive. They are not afraid to speak up and express their ideas and concerns in a clear and concise manner. They also have a strong emotional intelligence, which allows them to understand and empathize with the emotions of others, but they are also able to draw the line between a good working relationship and favoring friends.
Leadership Skills
In addition to strong communication skills, successful healthcare managers have strong leadership skills. Healthcare managers need to be able to set clear objectives, motivate staff, and create a positive work culture. A successful healthcare manager has a personality that is confident, assertive, positive, and can inspire others to follow their lead.
They are also able to delegate tasks effectively, ensuring that staff are working together to achieve the best possible outcomes. Shifts, tasks, and other opportunities should be equally slated between all employees you are qualified to do so and healthcare managers should be able to explain their validation for their decisions. They should also be able to take responsibility for their choices and any changes made, as a strong sense of responsibility will help keep a team inspired and motivated.
Adaptability
Healthcare management is a complex and constantly changing field, and successful managers must be able to adapt to changes quickly. Whether it is the introduction of new technology or changes to healthcare policies, a successful healthcare manager has a personality that is open-minded and adaptable.
They have a willingness to learn and grow professionally, considering new points of view and testing alternative approaches to problem-solving.This includes settings where they act as a mediator, an advocate, a presenter, and a team player. Adaptability in a leadership setting may also include times where one needs to acknowledge that they are not the most knowledgeable authority on a subject and, instead, either take time to learn more or default to someone who does have the necessary knowledge.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking skills are key for healthcare managers. With the ever-evolving healthcare industry, managers need to be able to approach problems objectively, quickly assess the information, and make informed decisions.
A successful healthcare manager has a personality that is analytical and detail-oriented. They have the ability to read between the lines, make inferences, and decipher complex data. They are confident in their decision-making and use data-driven insights to guide their actions. Using critical thinking, healthcare managers should be able to see beyond the next step, making sure that their teams are prepared for situations ahead of time.
Compassion
Successful healthcare managers have a personality that is compassionate. Healthcare can be emotionally challenging for patients and staff, and a good healthcare manager should have the ability to empathize and provide support for both patients and staff. A successful healthcare manager has a personality that is warm, empathetic, and understanding. They have a genuine interest in helping others and are always looking for ways to provide better care.
As we said, these are the generic but necessary traits for healthcare managers. By cultivating these traits, healthcare practitioners can set themselves up for success in the management realm of healthcare. If you are looking for a new role in healthcare management, then check out our board here to see what jobs are open. If you are looking for something different, then send us an updated resume here and connect with a specialized recruiter as early as today!
