Login
Dr. Rajiv Yadav, a pioneer in the field, of Hospital Administration, is currently working as General Manager – Operations at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai. Beginning his journey by getting a science degree online (post graduate degree in Surgery) M.S. Ayur, explored his academic side as a lecturer at YMT Ayurvedic College for 5 years and reader for 1 year. Recognizing the existing need for Hospital Administrators coupled with his passion for the same, he enrolled for a Diploma in Hospital Administration at TISS, Chembur and supplemented it with an MBA. His skills and qualifications landed him a job as Deputy Medical Superintendent, which was the start to a flourishing career in Hospital Administration, culminating in a position at a prestigious leading hospital in Mumbai. Talking about his journey and sharing the wisdom of his experience, Dr. Yadav offers practical insights and opportunities in the growing field of Hospital Administration.
Hospital Administration in a nutshell
At any given time, a hospital has a flurry of activity buzzing all around. It is not just managing the patients’ treatment care that is critical, but also the complex network of the hospital’s medical and support personnel. The various interwoven relationships and roles in a hospital can become quite chaotic – and bringing order to this chaos is the responsibility of the Hospital Administrator.
This role entails overseeing all departments in the hospital, right from clinics to accounts, personnel, and facilities. In addition, the Hospital Administrator has to be well aware of all new laws and policy regulations in the medical field and ensure that the hospital is in line with all established procedures.
Can you tell us about the working of Hospital Administration?
A hospital is a complex organization. You have to work with cross-functional teams, working to achieve the common goal of patient care. Systems in one department affect the quality of work in another department. Hospital Administration/Management is a very challenging field. It’s all about managing people, internal and external. You require management skills, personal skills and a bit of diplomacy.
Earlier the hospitals were managed by the owners or physicians or by surgeons. Now Hospital Administration has become a specialized field as lot of new developments are being introduced across the globe to provide quality care. Earlier Medical Superintendent or Medical Director was the only person looking after the hospital with helping hands of support staff. Now various sections are developed according to the need of the hospital and specialties, like Clinical operations, Non-clinical operations, Nursing, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering and Maintenance, Finance and Accounts, Purchase and Stores, Information Technology, Quality Department, Marketing etc.
Why do hospitals require administrators? What is the current need?
Administration of the hospital has a unique goal and has the opportunity to serve people with maximum efficiency. In past, patients were reluctant to go to hospital. But in today’s scenario, the patient enters the hospital willingly, with confidence and with a hope of an improved health and long life due to properly managed care. If a doctor administers the hospital, he is usually intolerant to accept another doctor’s viewpoint. A well-trained doctor may lose his devotion towards medical practice as he may have to spend maximum time attending non-medical matters. So, it is always preferred to have a dedicated Hospital Administrator. Nowadays, all big trust and corporate hospitals are managed by professional Hospital Administrators and a doctor with a dedicated degree in Hospital Administration is always preferred. The requirement for Hospital Administrators is high as more hospitals are coming up.
What is the step-by-step approach to become a hospital administrator?
Once you have decided to choose Hospital Administration as a career, having Medical or Non-Medical exposure, you should go for full-time courses for hospital administration offered by well-known institutes like Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Garware Institute, University of Mumbai, Symbiosis University and many more in other states also. Some institutes may require you to clear an entrance test for admission. All these institutes have a prescribed syllabus including classroom sessions, case studies, outdoor exposures in the field and internships in Government and Corporate Hospitals. After completion of the course, these institutes offer placements through campus interview.
What is the eligibility and qualities required to become hospital administrator?
A Hospital Administrator has to see that the professional skills of doctors and paramedical staff are utilized in an efficient way to maximize benefit to the patients. He has to create goodwill, be co-operative and maintain a professional atmosphere. He has to have feelings of belongingness and needs to take ownership. He should make the hospital staff feels that they are at right place and have to do their duties properly.
He must also possess qualities of a good leader and have an open mind to absorb new techniques and ideas. He should also be able to infuse new ideas in the minds of others. He should be open and receptive to learning even from the junior staff. He should lead by example and his leadership should attract loyalty from others. He must have the ability to exhibit a judicious combination of rigidity and flexibility, and must have professional approach in his work. He must be absolutely impartial and must not mix personal relations or friendship with official duties. In addition, he should possess the ability to plan and coordinate to get the work done from his subordinates.
What would it cost to pursue a course in Hospital Administration?
The fee structure varies from 5 lacs to 10 lacs in good institutes. Online/correspondence MBA courses are also available with lower fees and add value to those who are already working in the capacity of managerial role. The biggest investment required is hard work, dedication, commitment and time.
What is the average pay package and growth in the field of hospital administrator? What is the flowchart for career growth?
The package starts from 6 Lacs per annum and goes up as you step up the ladder. One can start his career as a management trainee and climb up to CEO level in the hierarchy. There are also options to work as a Healthcare consultant.
Are there any international prospects for this field?
There are international openings and opportunities for Hospital/Healthcare administration. Candidates having MHA/MBA in healthcare can have the opportunity to work on WHO projects.
What are possible avenues for work?
Candidates can work with hospitals, healthcare organizations and private consultancy firms. In addition, they can also start their own firm.
Take away tips from Dr. Rajiv Yadav
What is your advice to students who wish to opt for a career in hospital administration?
Any person can be a Hospital Manager/Administrator with little managerial skills. You gain a lot of knowledge from the experience you are exposed to. There is a saying “Leaders are made, they are not born.” For this, you need to have ambition, passion, hard work, and dedication towards your aims and objectives. It’s an ART of managing people. If you don’t have this art inbuilt in you, even if you are a Harvard graduate, you may fail in your tasks.
