Why this matters:
From cutting-edge medical devices to electronic health record systems, new technologies are constantly transforming the healthcare industry. The best healthcare administrators have a thorough process for evaluating new technology that takes budget, compliance, and patient needs into consideration. With careful planning, they can reduce costs and maximize return on investment.
What to listen for:
- Familiarity with new and developing technologies like healthcare management information systems (HMIS)
- Specific criteria for evaluating potential investments
- Careful deployment of new technology, including onboarding for employees
Why this matters:
Healthcare administrators have the important responsibility of ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Strong candidates need to thoroughly understand current regulations, monitor any new regulatory developments, and devise new policies to keep their organization compliant.
What to listen for:
- In-depth knowledge of laws and regulations governing healthcare
- Regular training for staff to keep them up to date on best practices
- Recognition of the importance of patient privacy and regulated care
Why this matters:
Infectious diseases can easily spread in hospitals and healthcare facilities without the proper precautions. To keep patients and the wider public safe, preventing outbreaks is essential. The best candidates will understand the gravity of infectious diseases and know how to keep them from spreading.
What to listen for:
- Use of CDC-recommended techniques like social distancing and handwashing
- Ability to recognize and take action when a risk of disease presents itself
- Willingness to take charge in an emergency situation
Why this matters:
Healthcare administrators are responsible for bridging the gap between management and medical practice. An ideal candidate can speak to their experience working with doctors and nurses, demonstrating an understanding of the day-to-day work of healthcare and what goes into treating patients.
What to listen for:
- Comfortable using common medical terminology in conversations
- Capacity to take input from other professionals into account
- Strong collaborative abilities and interpersonal skills
Why this matters:
Healthcare administrators often look for new, innovative ways to promote efficiency and maintain high standards of care. From implementing a new process to championing a specific technology, strong candidates are constantly looking for ways to improve workflows and have the proven ability to bring new ideas to life.
What to listen for:
- Experience identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement
- Ability to persuade stakeholders to implement new methods
- Post-implementation assessment of new methods for efficacy
Why this matters:
To maintain a well-functioning organization, healthcare administrators may need to consult outside experts. Candidates who have previously worked with consultants and feel comfortable accepting their help and advice are more likely to successfully partner with them in the future.
What to listen for:
- Willingness to work with outside experts when beneficial
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to build lasting professional connections
Why this matters:
Ensuring that management, healthcare providers, and other hospital staff work together harmoniously and share a vision of what the organization can accomplish is a crucial responsibility for healthcare administrators. A great candidate has worked with similar teams before, knows how to facilitate collaboration, and can promote high performance from the entire team.
What to listen for:
- Familiarity with responsibilities across all levels of healthcare systems
- Strong organizational and management abilities
- Willingness to defer to others when necessary
Why this matters:
Healthcare administrators make important decisions every day. Strong candidates have firm professional ethics and feel comfortable making decisions based on these principles. They can also demonstrate that they impart these principles to others, promoting ethical decision-making across the organization.
What to listen for:
- Deep concern for ethical behavior in healthcare
- Recognition of multiple factors at work in decision-making
- Willingness to set an example for other employees
Why this matters:
Professionals in the healthcare industry often work long hours and make challenging decisions. The best healthcare administrators take an active role in ensuring the staff’s well-being and reducing the impact of stress on the organization. They’re also willing to act as an example when it comes to reducing stress by maintaining their own work-life balance.
What to listen for:
- Ability to recognize when stress has affected work and life
- Personal strategies for combating stress and nurturing mental health
- Organization-wide initiatives to reduce stress, like offering schedule flexibility and creating pathways for feedback
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