Increasing Demand for Health Care Executives

Health Care jobs

Reports have shown there is a trend of increasing demand for health care providers over the years. Many attribute this to the rise of the senior population and longer life spans. Baby boomers are retiring early and more and more are reaching the age of 65. But did you know that not only the rank and file doctors, nurses, care-givers and nursing assistants are in demand but also those that hold executive and managerial positions? According to reports, job opportunities for Chief Executive Officers and other medical executive officers are on the rise both in hospitals and in health care systems.

Some say this is because of the added pressure on the health executives as compared to the work stress ten years ago. Others postulate that the CEO's are retiring early, for a better quality of life or because their financial status has greatly improved over the years. Regardless of the reasons, more and more executive positions are being left vacate, and hospitals and other health institutions are finding it more and more difficult to replace them. Health establishments are finding it increasingly challenging to find leaders who understand that a better quality of patient care is essential while at the same time maintaining the financial soundness of the establishment.

Some recruiters say that highly specialized technical roles are also harder to find. This includes the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer. There has been a growth in vacant managerial positions over the years including the Chief Operating Officer, Financial Officers, Information Officers and Medical Records Manager. Because of this high demand, health institutions are offering signing bonuses and even performance focused incentives.

Considering that the demand for executive medical officers is high, what are the qualifications that these health institutions are looking for? Many health establishments consider that leadership qualities are the most important in any candidate for a managerial position. CEO's and COO's must especially have the capability to curb costs, find ways to raise revenues, possess adequate knowledge on the information system in the hospitals, have excellent communication skills and realize that being a medical executive officer is not merely on administration but more on providing the best patient care possible.

Aside from the medical CEO's and COO's that are in demand today, Chief Medical Officers or CMO's are also needed to assist top managers in administration. It has been reported that doctors find it easier to relate to administrators that are also doctors rather than to business administrators. Health establishments find that the most desirable health executives are those that have extensive clinical and managerial experience and are involved in the community. More and more physicians have also chosen to branch out into other fields of management such as an officer involved in patient-safety as well as chief information officers. Others are even enrolling in business administration courses.

The need for both direct health care and managerial positions has increased over the years. The compensation has also been better compared to previous years. But other than landing that dream job, health care providers must realize that they serve a higher purpose and that is to help patients and guide them back to health.