Hospital Administrator: The Backbone of a Hospital

A few years back, Healthcare was seen as a hardcore, routine sector comprising traditional treatments and medical facilities. Previously, senior doctors were trusted with hospital affairs and they used to play the role of a hospital manager. But globalization and changes in people's expectations have given this sector a competitive face and doctors have been replaced by qualified and professional Hospital Managers.

Hospital Administration is undertaken to coordinate between healthcare facilities and supplying the services required in this sector. Hospital Administration also demands proper utilization of resources of the hospital, both physical and financial. In addition to this, management in hospital also includes creating an organized work culture important for the growth of the hospital. It is therefore, challenging, difficult and immensely demanding job.

A hospital manager is responsible for managing outpatient clinics, hospitals, drug-abuse treatment centers etc. These professionals also look after education, patient care, research and community health care matters attached with the organization. Hospital administrators also ensure that all these allied activities are in conformation with the hospital rules.

With the help of a team, these administrators engage themselves in planning, coordinating and directing the delivery of health services. In this way, professional healthcare managers help bringing profitability to hospitals and comfort for the patients.

Generally, hospital management is taught for a period of two-years and offered a postgraduate diploma to graduates in disciplines namely doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

Some of the colleges offering Courses in Hospital Administration

• International Institute of Health Management Research, New Delhi
• Punjab University, Chandigarh
• Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
• Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
• Tata Institute of Social Services, Mumbai
• Apollo Institute of Hospital Administration, Hyderabad
• Indian Institute of Health Management Research, Jaipur
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
• Symbiosis Centre of Health Care, Pune

Career Prospects as a Hospital Administrator:

Graduates with a Master's degrees in Hospital Administration, generally starts off as assistants in hospital administrators, or officials of non-health departments, like finance. Various hospitals offer post-graduate residencies and fellowships, which are normally staff jobs.

As health services demand immense patience and is a demanding job, managers can earn from Rs 12,000 to Rs 40,000 per month, depending upon the Institute.

A qualified manager can make a good career in:

• Medical institutes
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• NGOs operating in the health care sector
• Health agencies
• Medical and dental laboratories
• Offices of dentists and other practitioners
• Other health and allied services
• Mental health facilities
• Clinics Consulting firms
• Research institutions

- Compiled by Prachi Srivastava | shiksha.com