How To Become A Health Services Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a health services manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN

They go by many names, healthcare administrators or healthcare executives, and they are tasked with planning, coordinating, and directing health and medical services. They are also in charge of managing the entire medical facility, medical practice for a section of physicians, or a specific medical department section. One major characteristic of this job is that the Health Services Manager must be able to adapt to changes. When we say changes, we mean various changes in healthcare laws, technology, and general regulations.

Some of their secondary duties include improving quality and efficiency in healthcare delivery, create goals, values, and objectives at the departmental level; ensure workers work in the most suitable work environment and comply with every law guiding the profession; recruit, train and supervise staff working in the facility; create workable schedules; prepare and supervise the way budgets are spent, and ensuring all the departments operate according to the budget.

To qualify for this job, there are certain skills you need to have; they include analytical skills, communication skills, detail-oriented, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and technical skills. For academic qualification, you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health services, public health care administration, and public administration.

What general advice would you give to a health services manager?

Pawn Johnson-Hunter MS, RN, AGPCNP-BC, GERO- BC, CM/DN

Nurse Educator, Nclex Mentor/Coach

A few ways to maximize earning potential as a new graduate nurse is through skillful negotiations and previous experience in healthcare, such as degree level, nurse externships, phlebotomy skills, or certifications. Many, if not all, employers appreciate that new graduates are equipped with clinical skills that are strongly recommended for the practice area. While many nurse certifications require experience, some are for entry-level, such as advanced life support (ACLS and PALS) and IV insertion. There are also some specialty practice certifications that new grads can obtain without years of experience; although they may recommend the experience at times, this is optional. All of this demonstrates the applicant's commitment to the profession and interest. Other ways are to work overtime hours, learn about clinical career ladders, or continue formal education.

ScoreHealth Services ManagerUS Average

Salary

6.6

Avg. Salary $84,568

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 8.18%

Black or African American 10.95%

Hispanic or Latino 14.79%

Unknown 4.28%

White 61.07%

Gender

female 68.84%

male 31.16%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a health services manager

Explore health services manager education requirements

Most common health services manager degrees

Bachelor's

53.5 %

Master's

20.2 %

Associate

15.9 %

Start to develop specific health services manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	10.81%
Behavioral Health	8.78%
Mental Health	8.21%
Health Services	4.91%
Customer Service	4.91%

Complete relevant health services manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health services managers 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 health services manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health services manager resumes.

Gain additional health services manager certifications

Health services manager 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 health services manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for health services managers include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Certified Case Manager (ACM).

More About Certifications

Research health services manager duties and responsibilities

Initiate sentinel system allowing company to proactively manage reimbursement reductions impose by state Medicaid programs.
Possess the ability to work in a fast-pace environment with compassion and respect for all patients and family members.
Assist in the design and reconstruction of the culinary department.
File member's medical data in proper medical jacket, per HIPAA regulations.

Prepare your health services manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health services manager 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 health services manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable health services manager resume templates

Build a professional health services manager 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 health services manager resume.

Apply for health services manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a health services manager 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 do health services managers rate their job?

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Health services manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Cons

Repetition of quelling anger of dissatisfied people with answers that they don't want to hear. Unattainable goals set by coorporate based on only highest capacity numbers