The administrator must see that the necessary staff, resources, and equipment are available to provide the best patient care. The administrator is normally the institution's representative to outside organizations such as civic organizations, businesses, and other health groups. Nursing home administrators need the same skills as health care administrators in other settings but, because nursing homes are typically smaller with fewer administrative staff, the nursing home administrator is more directly involved in detailed management decisions. Since much of the job of an administrator consists of dealing with people, important assets include leadership qualities, tact, sympathy, self-control, and the ability to withstand the pressure and stress of a demanding job. In larger organizations there may be a staff of assistant administrators who direct specific aspects of the daily operation and report to a chief administrator.
Most administrators have their own offices in comfortable surroundings.
They often work long hours as these health facilities operate around the clock and the administrator must be available to make decisions in case of emergency. Travel is often involved to attend meetings or inspect other facilities. Advancement Health care administrators sometimes begin their careers in small hospitals and advance by shifting to larger health care facilities. They may also begin their careers as assistants in a large medical institution in order to gain experience and advance by moving into more responsible, higher paying positions. Job Outlook Employment of health care administrators is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as health services expand and diversify.