While many professions are not thriving in the strained economic climate, one industry is an exception. With more money being pumped into healthcare and an aging population in need of hospitals and doctors, job prospects in healthcare are better than average. You don't have to be a doctor to find a career in this field. One way to pursue a career in the medical industry is to get a degree or certificate that allows you to become a human resources (HR) manager from a university or online program. Working as a human resources manager within a hospital can be exciting and rewarding since you will be interacting with a diverse group of people and dealing with a range of responsibilities and challenges.
The Role of a Hospital HR Manager
To function properly, a hospital requires a skilled staff of doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, building maintenance employees and administrators. Most hospitals hope to attract highly qualified healthcare professionals, particularly when they are known for an area of specialization, such as heart surgery or cancer treatment, or conduct clinical research. At the same time, every hospital strives to make their day-to-day operations as efficient and effective as possible so they can best serve patients—while staying within their budgets and adhering to government regulations. A good hospital HR manager has a key role in ensuring that hospital employees at every level are competent and fairly compensated—and beyond that, that there is a high degree of job satisfaction that motivates the hospital staff to give their all to their job, whether they are a surgeon or a cafeteria worker.
HR managers working in hospitals are responsible for hiring, training, and promoting employees, conducting performance reviews, resolving conflicts or problems among hospital personnel, and making sure hospital employment policies are in compliance with government regulations. Pro-active HR managers encourage employees to improve their skills and seek advancement, and implement policies that create a supportive work environment. Hospital HR managers should have exemplary communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to keep track of information, and the leadership skills necessary to work with other administrators and the HR staff.
Educational Qualifications for a Hospital HR Manager Position
You may have looked at HR manager job listings and wondered how to go about landing one of these sought-after positions. The basic qualification for becoming a hospital HR manager is a bachelor’s degree (BA) demonstrating coursework in business administration, social sciences, behavioral sciences, finance or information technology. Some hospitals may require a master’s degree (MA) in human resources, human resources management or business administration. Choosing a good human resource management program online can put you on the right path and give you some of the necessary qualifications to land a position like this. Leading schools offer online HR certification classes and human resources degree programs that can lead to a master’s degree.
In addition, several professional organizations offer specialized HR classes and certification. Research these professional organizations to determine whether membership and certification might enhance your career.
Job Outlook and Salary
Positions for hospital HR managers are expected to increase. The current median average salary for this position in general medical and surgical hospitals is $91,580. Hospital administration is complex. With an increasingly diverse employee population and an urgent need for personnel knowledgeable about new medical technology and information systems, recruiting, hiring and organizing the best hospital personnel will be challenging. If this is the kind of challenge you think you can handle—and enjoy—start taking the steps necessary to become a hospital HR manager.