Medical and Health Services Managers

Cancer Center Director

Clinical Director

Health Information Management Director (HIM Director)

Health Information Manager (HIM Manager)

Healthcare System Director

Medical Records Director

Medical Records Manager

Mental Health Program Manager

Nurse Manager

Nursing Director

What is a Medical and Health Services Manager?

Medical and Health Services Managers, also known as healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, are professionals responsible for the planning, directing, and coordinating of healthcare services in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and public health organizations. They play a critical role in ensuring that healthcare facilities operate efficiently and effectively, often overseeing a team of healthcare professionals and administrative staff.

These managers are involved in a wide range of activities including budget management, staffing, compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, and the creation and implementation of policies and procedures to improve patient care. Their work often requires a deep understanding of healthcare systems, strong leadership skills, and the ability to analyze complex data to make informed decisions. With the ongoing changes in healthcare laws and technology, Medical and Health Services Managers must stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the field to enhance quality care and optimize operational performance.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$67900.0 - $216750.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.

Technology Skills

Medical software
Data base user interface and query software
Analytical or scientific software
- Expert Health Data Programming Vitalnet
- IBM SPSS Statistics 29
- Relative Values for Physicians
- SAS Viya
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Categorization or classification software
- AMA CPT® Current Procedural Terminology
- ColorSoft AutoMatch
- Yost Engineering ABN Assistant
- Yost Engineering CodeSearch Pro

Tools Used

Scanners
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Desktop computers
Personal computers

Knowledge

Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

2 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R29,118pm

Are You Ready to Lead in Healthcare? Assessing Your Fit for Medical and Health Services Management in South Africa

The healthcare landscape in South Africa is currently undergoing significant transformation. With 1 active job openings and a salary trajectory that has shown consistent growth throughout 2024—climbing from R25,624 in January to over R32,030 by December—the demand for skilled administrators has never been higher. However, transitioning from clinical work or general management into this specialised role requires a unique blend of temperament and expertise.

Is Medical and Health Services Management Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this career path, consider if you possess the following core traits and behavioural competencies:

Ethical Leadership: Can you maintain strict adherence to medical ethics and South African healthcare legislation (like the National Health Act) while under pressure?
High Emotional Intelligence: Are you capable of managing diverse teams of doctors, nurses, and administrative staff while remaining empathetic to patient needs?
Analytical Resilience: Do you enjoy solving complex problems, such as optimising hospital budgets or improving patient flow, without becoming overwhelmed?
Meticulous Attention to Detail: Is your organisational style suited to managing sensitive medical records and ensuring 100% compliance with Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) standards?
Decisiveness: Are you comfortable making high-stakes decisions that impact both the financial health of a facility and the physical health of its patients?

A Day in the Life of a South African Healthcare Manager

A typical day in a South African hospital or clinic—whether in the private sector with groups like Netcare or Mediclinic, or within the public sector—is fast-paced and unpredictable. You might start your morning by reviewing the facility's operational budget and staffing levels to ensure every ward is safely manned. By midday, you could be meeting with Department of Health representatives to discuss compliance or investigating a patient feedback report. Your afternoon may involve strategising on how to integrate new medical technologies or digital record-keeping systems. You are the "engine room" of the facility; while doctors save lives, you ensure the environment exists for them to do so effectively and sustainably.

Education & Upskilling: Building Your Foundation

In South Africa, the path to management usually begins with a solid academic foundation, but it is sustained through continuous professional development.

Formal Qualifications: Most practitioners hold a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Commerce, or Nursing. Many successful managers in South Africa pursue a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Health or an MBA with a focus on Healthcare Management from institutions like Wits, UCT, or various TVET colleges.
Short Courses and Certifications: Technical proficiency in Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers, Labour Law (specifically the BCEA), and Project Management are highly valued by South African employers.
The Importance of Continuous Learning: The healthcare sector evolves rapidly. Whether it is a new National Health Insurance (NHI) policy update or advancements in health informatics, you must commit to being a lifelong learner. Stagnation in this role is not an option; you must regularly attend workshops and earn CPD points to remain competitive and effective.

Next Steps to Secure Your Future

The data shows a clear upward trend in the South African market, with average salaries reaching RR29,118pm as the sector expands. If you have the drive to improve healthcare delivery and the leadership potential to guide a team, this could be your most rewarding career move yet. Don't leave your career progression to chance—take the proactive step today. Test your readiness now by completing our professional Medical and Health Services Management Assessment.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

46 %
Master's degree

21 %
Associate's degree

11 %

Work Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Coaching and Developing Others
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Detailed Work Activities

Evaluate employee performance.
Supervise employees.
Develop computer or information systems.
Maintain operational records.
Conduct employee training programs.

Work Interests

Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.