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What is a director of health services and how to become one
A director of health services oversees the management and delivery of healthcare services in a particular organization or community. They work with healthcare providers to ensure the delivery of high-quality care that meets the needs of patients while adhering to regulatory standards and budgetary constraints. These directors must develop and implement policies, manage staff, coordinate with healthcare organizations, and ensure compliance with ever-changing laws and regulations.
What general advice would you give to a director of health services?
Dr. Jacklyn Gentry
Chair, Assistant Professor, Missouri Western State University
Avg. Salary $80,298
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 28%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%
Asian 7.26%
Black or African American 10.96%
Hispanic or Latino 15.21%
Unknown 4.29%
White 61.54%
Genderfemale 72.11%
male 27.89%
Age - 47American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 47Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a director of health services?
Pros
High salary and job security potential
Opportunity to make a difference in the health of a community
Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Flexibility in work schedule and location
Satisfaction from improving patient outcomes and quality of care
Cons
Long working hours including nights and weekends
High risk of burnout from managing complex healthcare systems
Difficult decisions related to resource allocation and prioritization of patient needs
Difficulty balancing administrative duties with patient care responsibilities
Limited control over some aspects of the job, such as insurance coverage and reimbursement
Director of health services career paths
Key steps to become a director of health services
Explore director of health services education requirements
Start to develop specific director of health services skills
Skills Percentages Patients 9.10% Patient Care 7.47% Home Health 7.27% Oversight 6.47% Social Work 4.12% Complete relevant director of health services training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of health services learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of health services based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of health services resumes.Gain additional director of health services certifications
More About CertificationsDirector of health services certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific director of health services certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for directors of health services include Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and Certified Manager Certification (CM).
Research director of health services duties and responsibilities
- Complete comprehensive assessments for all LTC residents which include managing falls, pain, skin integrity, and medications.
- Assist residents with ADL's as needed.
- Develop, expand and implement medical programs and health services that promote rehabilitation and health.
- Direct management of the rehabilitation, employee health and occupational medicine departments.
Get director of health services experience
Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director of health services. The most common roles before becoming a director of health services include staff nurse, registered nurse team lead and licensed practical nurse.Prepare your director of health services resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of health services resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of health services resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable director of health services resume templates
Build a professional director of health services resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of health services resume.
Apply for director of health services jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a director of health services job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first director of health services job
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Average director of health services salary
The average director of health services salary in the United States is $80,298 per year or $39 per hour. Director of health services salaries range between $53,000 and $119,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do directors of health services rate their job?
Director of health services reviews
Seeing and facilitating the growth of the staff and department
When equipment and supplies are needed for the patient care but are not available due to corporate funding limitations.
I can share my experience and knowledge with others as well as my ideas
Firing people
Updated January 8, 2025
