Becoming a Clinical Administrator

Clinical Administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day functioning of a healthcare setting to provide an improved and better health service. They work closely with medical staff to plan, direct and coordinate the delivery of quality health services. Their duties include ensuring optimal patient care, hiring and supervising personnel, communicating with different departments, enforcing policies and procedures, managing budget and funding, participating in periodic meetings, helping patients for insurance reimbursements and performing other tasks as assigned.

Clinical Administrators work in a variety of settings such as public or private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, community health centers, rehabilitation centers, private or group medical practices etc. They often work for full-time and have to be on-call frequently.

Educational Requirements

To become a Clinical Administrator, the aspiring candidates have to earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a major in health administration. The students can also pursue a master’s degree in public health, health administration or in a related field for better job prospects in this profession.

The common syllabus includes anatomy, biology, medical terminology, patient care, healthcare management etc. Students also need to learn the techniques on hiring personnel and dealing with insurance companies.

Certification and Licensure

Since many states of USA require a Clinical Administrator to be licensed, the aspiring candidates have to earn a License after passing a required examination. The candidates can obtain exam-based certification from the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management (PAHCOM).

Skill set

Clinical Administrators possess a wide range of traits such as understanding of healthcare laws and regulations, knowledge of insurance processes, ability to establish and maintain cordial relationship with patients, medical staff, strong organizational and supervisory skills, ability to maintain calm and react effectively in emergency situation, excellent verbal and written communication skills, competent in computer operating etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Clinical Administrator remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 23 per cent during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Administrator was $92,810 in 2014.