Hospitals require precision in the execution of job responsibilities and multiple layers of accountability in order to function. To accomplish this, hospitals use a functional organizational structure with many layers of management. Show
Understanding the complete hospital organizational structure ensures that hospital employees know their own responsibilities, the responsibilities of those around them, to whom they report, and who to talk to about particular responsibilities or fields of knowledge. Hospital Organization and ManagementBoardAll hospitals include some form of governing body responsible for making high-level decisions about the organization. The board of directors is the highest in the hospital chain of command and is made up of experts in their respective fields. Religiously affiliated hospitals often include clergy on their boards of directors. Teaching hospitals often include university faculty from the medical school with which they’re affiliated. ExecutivesIn the hospital leadership structure, executives are responsible for managing the organization, making financial decisions, and overseeing business strategy. Medical and health services managers may oversee entire practices or clinical areas. A hospital typically has a chief financial officer who tends to the financial aspects of the business and a chief operating officer or chief executive officer responsible for high-level business strategy and decision-making. Department AdministratorsDepartment administrators report to the hospital executives and manage the day-to-day operations of the hospital department structure. The chief of surgery, for example, is responsible for overseeing daily activities within the surgical department as well as performing surgery. A chief of surgery might engage in public relations activities, fundraising and recruitment. Other segments within a hospital, such as transcription or switchboard personnel, also have department administrators. Patient Care ManagersNurse managers and supervising physicians are both patient care managers. These individuals manage small groups of professionals who provide direct patient care. They ensure that orders are carried out, that hospital employees are fulfilling their duties appropriately, and that employees are complying with legal requirements. Service ProvidersThe vast majority of hospital workers are service providers: doctors, nurses, orderlies, physical therapists, laundry workers, and the many other people required in order for a hospital to function. They provide patient care, maintain records and ensure that the hospital is able to deliver care to patients in an effective manner. Service providers have their own hierarchical structure in healthcare. For example, doctors often give orders to nurses, who might delegate to orderlies. Move up in the Hospital HierarchyRivier University’s online MBA in Healthcare Administration gives students the skills and knowledge needed to pursue management and executive positions in a hospital. The program takes place in a convenient and flexible online learning environment that accommodates students’ personal and work schedules. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics defines a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as a professional who determines and formulates policies and provides overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. They are involved in the planning, direction, and coordination of day-to-day operations at the highest level of management with the help of assistant executives and staff managers. A Hospital CEO has the responsibility to ensure almost every aspect of how hospitals perform is working efficiently. They need to find a balance in managing the day-to-day operations while leading strategic development initiatives required for long-term success. Some of the areas of responsibility for a hospital CEOs include:
Featured ProgramsA hospital CEO is the top administrator in a hospital organization. What is the Best Degree to Pursue if I Want To Pursue A Career as a Hospital CEO?Some of the more typical degrees held by Hospital CEO’s are:
What is the Salary level or a Hospital CEO?Salaries for Chief Executive Officers in the United have an average pay well above six figures, with the mean of $177,000 per year and can include bonuses on top of salary. Salary levels vary depending on years of experience, location, and specific employer. Highest areas for salaries include:
Although CEO’s have the rewards of top salaries, the position also comes with a large degree of responsibilities and long hours. Those aspiring to become CEO’s in a hospital setting will require education and experience to meet these goals. Which of the following is responsible for the overall management of a hospital?Executives. In the hospital leadership structure, executives are responsible for managing the organization, making financial decisions, and overseeing business strategy.
What is the primary function of a hospital?According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), hospitals are licensed institutions with at least six beds whose primary function is to provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient services for medical conditions; they have an organized physician staff; and they provide continuous nursing services under the ...
What is the hierarchy of a hospital?The hierarchy at hospitals can vary at each location but generally consist of the general manager and medical directors at the top and medical assistants at the bottom.
What is an organizational structure in healthcare?The most common organizational structure for healthcare organizations is a functional organizational structure whose key characteristic is a pyra- mid-shaped hierarchy, which defines the functions carried out and the key management positions assigned to those functions (see Figure 2-1).
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