healthcare management resources

QUESTION:

Upon reviewing the multiple facilities offering healthcare administration support and services, discuss the following:

· What are the healthcare administrative/management job opportunities in these organizations?

· How are these organizations interrelated?

· What type of support do these organizations offer direct care facilities?

· Identify one available position in which you are interested and discuss the KSAs needed to secure the position.

ANSWER

As the text has stated, there are many different career paths in the field of healthcare administration. Your individual background, interests, and experiences are all a part of which sector you choose to work. In reviewing that organizations that are listed in Appendix A, there are numerous of non-direct care facilities that have an important role in patient care. Taking a role in any of these organizations require great leadership and management skills. In looking at all of these organizations, it is important to note that effective management is required to facilitate change and achieve results through ensuring the efficient mobilization and utilization of the health workforce and other resources (Figueroa, 2019).

            Associations are one example of non-direct care settings. Even though non-direct care settings do not directly involve the provision of care to the patient, they still are needed by providing support and care through products and services by means of consulting firms, associations, medical suppliers and others (Buchbinder & Thompson, 2010). Just as non-direct and direct care settings rely on each other to completely fulfill the care of a patient, Proverbs 27:1 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” I think it is especially important in the field of healthcare that individuals need to be willing and readily available to work together on behalf of the patient. 

            The American Public Health Association and the American Medical Association are two examples of non-direct care settings which are also leading in public health and medicine. The APHA has been referred to as “the largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world” which shows not only its importance but also the opportunity for careers (Buchbinder & Thompson, 2010). It is important to note the influence that these organizations have in the healthcare field. These organizations can and will partner with other organizations for many different reasons such as on behalf of a certain cause. One example of this is the American Hospital Association pairing with the American Organization of Nurse Executives in order to combat violence. Karen Wray, an American Organization of Nurse Executives member has made efforts to promote safety and combat violence (Wray, 2018). I think this example shows the greatness of variety a job can have in the healthcare field. You can always find something that aligns with your interests.

            These organizations are interrelated in many ways. One example is seen with The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission’s goal and mission are to ensure quality healthcare for patients, prevent harm, and to improve patient advocacy. They follow standards which are then based on reported events by organizations that may or may not cause harm in patients, for example such as medication errors, wrong site in surgical procedures, and miscommunication among healthcare providers (Wadhwa, 2020). This organization is related to The American Hospital Association in regards to combating violence in communities and hospitals. On the Joint Commission website, there is a specific page that is dedicated to The AHA and discusses "Hospitals Against Violence" resources and information.

            One of the biggest types of support that these organizations bring to direct care facilities is quality. There are numerous organizations that are related to ensuring that the patient receives quality care. Some of these organizations include the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the National Association of Health Services Executives, the American Hospital Association, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Evidence suggests that the safety and quality of care in not only hospitals but also through organizations can be recognizably improved (Allen-Duck, 2017). All of these organizations implement efforts to ensure quality care is being given to patients. By improving quality in one aspect of healthcare, it can ultimately affect the outcome of a person’s life. If the Joint Commission does not properly assess a hospital in regards to quality, they might miss over an error on the hospital’s behalf which can therefore turn into negatively affecting the quality of care a patient is receiving.

            I have always had a passion for taking care of elderly people. My heart has always been soft to those who are older and I have always gravitated towards helping them in any way. When I had previously worked in a hospital, I would tend to spend more time talking to the older patients and they would often tell me how they appreciated even just a short conversation with me. The National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards is one organization that I am interested in. The NAB is the nation’s leading authority on licensing, credentialing, and regulating administrators of organizations along the continuum of long-term care. 

            Another interest of mine is within the finances of healthcare. I have always been interested in numbers and how financials and insurances are related to healthcare. This then caused me to look into jobs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. One job opening that interested me is the Director of the Financial Management Group. The job summary of this position includes; providing leadership and executive direction for Medicaid financial management policies and operations and fiscal integrity, including Medicaid institutional and non-institutional reimbursement, administration of Medicaid financial management policies and operations, and administration of program related budgets and grants to States (usajobs). One of the most important KSA to have in being a director of a financials is organization. In dealing with money an individual needs to be extremely organized because if a single number is off it can cause a domino effect into many other problems. Being in this position you also need to have interpersonal skills due to the fact you are managing many people. As a director you are responsible for numerous individuals and if you are unable to properly communicate, you are unable to effectively accomplish your goals.