Managers in health care

Strong job outlook

Overview

Managers in health care plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of health care services, such as diagnosis and treatment, nursing and therapy, within institutions, and in other settings, that provide health care services. They are employed in hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and other health care organizations.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Consult with boards of directors and senior managers to maintain and establish standards for the provision of health care services

  • Develop evaluation systems to monitor the quality of health care given to patients

  • Monitor the use of diagnostic services, in-patient beds and facilities to ensure effective use of resources

  • Develop and implement plans for new programs, special projects, new material and equipment acquisitions and future staffing levels in their department or establishment

  • Plan and control departmental or establishment budget

  • Represent the department or establishment at meetings with government officials, the public, the media and other organizations

  • Supervise health care supervisors and professionals

  • Recruit health care staff of the department or establishment.

  • Managers in health care specialize in administering the provision of specific health care services such as dietetics, clinical medicine, laboratory medicine, nursing, physiotherapy or surgery.

  • Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the delivery of health care services within a department of a health care institution, or in other settings where health care services are provided

Job titles

  • assistant administrator for nursing
  • assistant director of nursing
  • assistant director of nursing services
  • assistant nursing services administrator
  • behaviour therapy services director
  • blood bank administrator

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2023 edition

Annual salary

Low

$65,175

Median

$104,071

High

$145,387

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

Strong job outlook

British Columbia

1,655

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Administrators of departments such as surgery, clinical medicine or laboratory medicine are usually required to have the education and training of a specialist physician.

  • Administrators of other departments, such as nursing, dietetics or physiotherapy, are usually required to have the education and training of the medical professionals in that department.

  • Several years of experience in the relevant profession, including supervisory experience, are usually required.

Additional information

  • There is little or no mobility between departments in different medical specializations.

  • Progression to senior management positions in health care services is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as Managers in health care in B.C.

  • Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Specialists
  • Registration with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC)
  • BCCNM Registration - RNs
  • BCCNM Registration - RPNs
  • Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Surgeons
  • Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Specialists

Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Managers in health care in B.C.

  • Registration with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia
  • Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - Nursing Co-ordinators and Supervisors
  • Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Health care managers
  • Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Health care managers
  • BCCNM Registration - Health care manager

Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Specialists

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a clinical specialist in B.C., you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited medical school, writing the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, and completing a residency program.

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Registration with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC)

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a physical therapist in B.C., you must register with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC). Eligibility is achieved through completion of an approved post-secondary program, successful writing of the Physiotherapy Competency Examination, and a clinical assessment.

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BCCNM Registration - RNs

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

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BCCNM Registration - RPNs

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

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Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Surgeons

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a specialist in surgery in B.C., you must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved through enrolment in the UBC Faculty of Medicine.

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Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Specialists

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine, you must complete the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and the certifying examinations.

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Registration with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to be registered with the College of Dietitians of British Columbia. Eligibility for dietitians is achieved by graduating from an approved program, undergoing a 10-month period of supervised practical training, and successfully completing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam. Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

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Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - Nursing Co-ordinators and Supervisors

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education. Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

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Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - Health care managers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited medical school, writing the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, and completing a residency program. Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

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Completion of the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada - Health care managers

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to complete the certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Eligibility is achieved through successful completion of a recognized program and the certifying examinations. Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

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BCCNM Registration - Health care manager

Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To practice as a health care manager in B.C., you may need to register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Employment as a manager in health care may require several years of related work experience, including supervisory experience.

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Work Experience

Work experience recommended

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

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