Director of Patient Services/Admitting - Job Description, Salary, Education and Career Guide on Becoming a Director of Patient Services/Admitting

Director of patient services is a supervisory position that requires a mix of nursing know-how and administrative savvy. If you've ever wondered how to become a director of patient services or questioned what the job entails, you can find answers. This position requires a flexible, organized person with supervisory skills who is capable of multitasking.

Job Description

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are concerned about the level and efficiency of care that their patients receive. As a director of patient services/admitting, you are responsible for delivering and maintaining a high standard of care.
 
For a director of patient care and services to be effective, he or she must be organized enough to simultaneously oversee or perform all of the following:
  • deal with patient and family inquiries or complaints
  • evaluate employees
  • hire and train staff
  • maintain a proper budget
  • maintain accurate records on patients' visits and interactions
  • remain compliant with regulatory standards
  • supervise patient admission
  • use resources and strategize to deliver high-quality patient care.
 
Other duties depend on the job setting. Some healthcare facilities may wish you to coordinate with other local services, while others may want you to arrange for home nurses as well as patient visits. Either way, the general idea and job description are the same. Directors of patient care and services maximize care and make things run smoothly within the allotted budget.

Salary Guide

Directors of patient services and similar healthcare director positions average about $80,000 a year, depending on experience and location. In New York City, for example, the average annual pay for a director of patient services is $103,000, more than 20 percent higher than the national average. The average annual salary in Los Angeles is $81,000, while Chicago averages $4,000 more than that per year.

Education and Training

The education and training requirements for a director of patient care and services vary slightly from job to job, but one absolute necessity is a registered nurse (RN) license.
 
You also will need a degree in a related field, such as nursing, management or administration. While some job offers list a two-year degree as the minimum requirement, all strongly prefer a bachelor's and even master's degrees. Since the level of competition is fierce in the nursing industry, a master's degree greatly enhances your odds.

Prior Work Experience

The kind of work experience you can bring to any position is as important as your education. Most places want management experience, sometimes in a senior supervisory position. Potential employers also like to see prior work experience in their particular field, such as responsibilities in home health, a hospice or a hospital setting.

Career Advancement

Since the job is often an intermediary position between the nurses and the executive director, the possibility exists of moving into the executive slot. There also is the chance of moving to larger, more complicated facilities as you build up experience.
 
If you choose to leave healthcare, companies are always on the lookout for people who have management experience in the type of fast-paced setting the healthcare industry demands. Taking responsibility for others' lives can make a huge impression on prospective employers.

Related Associations and Groups

American College of Health Care Administrators
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Health Care Administrators Association
  • Professional Association of Health Care Office Management.
 
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