Claire Dawson
A hospital facilities manager is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, security, and operations of a hospital. They ensure that the hospital remains in compliance with various laws and safety standards, and that the facility is safe, clean, functional, and comfortable for patients, visitors, and staff. To become a hospital facilities manager, a bachelor's degree is typically required, preferably in a field related to healthcare administration, construction management, or business. Work experience in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare setting is also necessary. While certification is not always required, the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential offered by the American Hospital Association is highly coveted and often expected by employers. This certification involves passing an exam and maintaining continuing education credits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | A bachelor's degree is typically required, but requirements vary. Some employers may hire candidates with an associate's degree, while others prefer a master's degree. Common majors include healthcare administration, construction management, or business. |
| Work Experience | Typically needed in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility. |
| Certification | Not always required, but the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential is highly valued and often required by hospitals. It involves passing an exam and maintaining certification through continuing education. |
| Responsibilities | Ensuring the hospital is safe, clean, functional, and comfortable for patients, visitors, and staff. Managing infrastructure, maintenance, security, operations, and finances. Handling safety hazards, breaches in security, and cybersecurity. Working with IT personnel to protect patient information. Approving and supervising building renovations and expansions. |
| Skills | Analytical mindset, attention to detail, highly organized, flexible, strong memory, and good communication skills. |
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What You'll Learn
- Educational requirements: a bachelor's degree is standard, but requirements vary
- Work experience: employers seek candidates with experience in administrative or clinical roles
- Certification: the CHFM credential is highly coveted and often required by hospitals
- Responsibilities: overseeing maintenance, security, operations, and compliance with regulations
- Skills: organisation, flexibility, and an analytical mind are key attributes
Educational requirements: a bachelor's degree is standard, but requirements vary
While a bachelor's degree is the standard educational requirement for hospital facilities managers, the specific requirements vary across employers and locations. Some employers may hire candidates with an associate's degree, while others may prefer individuals with a master's degree. Work experience in a relevant field may sometimes be considered in lieu of a degree.
A bachelor's degree in a field related to healthcare administration, construction management, or business is generally recommended for aspiring hospital facilities managers. This educational background provides a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of hospital operations and management. It is important to note that some positions may require additional certifications or licenses, depending on the specific role and location.
The Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential, offered by the American Hospital Association, is a highly coveted certification for hospital facilities managers. This certification demonstrates expertise and experience in healthcare facility management and can give candidates a competitive edge in the job market. To be eligible for the CHFM certification, individuals typically need a combination of a bachelor's degree and relevant work experience.
Additionally, some states may have specific licensing requirements for hospital facilities managers, particularly in roles such as nursing home administration. It is essential to check with local or state licensing boards to understand the specific educational and certification requirements for hospital facilities management positions in your desired location.
While a bachelor's degree is a common requirement, it is worth noting that some hospital facilities managers may be hired with only a high school diploma. However, the vast range of knowledge and skills required for this role typically makes a bachelor's degree or higher education more advantageous for aspiring professionals in this field.
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Work experience: employers seek candidates with experience in administrative or clinical roles
Employers seek candidates with experience in administrative or clinical roles. A bachelor's degree is typically required to become a hospital facilities manager, although educational requirements may vary depending on the employer and specific function of the role. Some employers may hire candidates with an associate's degree, while others may prefer a master's degree. Work experience in a hospital or other healthcare facility is highly valued by employers, as it demonstrates a practical understanding of the unique challenges and complexities of managing a healthcare facility.
The role of a hospital facilities manager is multifaceted and challenging. They are responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, security, and operations of the hospital, ensuring compliance with various codes, regulations, and standards. A strong understanding of local laws and regulations is critical, as hospital facilities must adhere to specific licensing and compliance requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Hospital facilities managers also play a crucial role in maintaining the safety, cleanliness, and functionality of the hospital environment. They work closely with IT personnel to protect patient information and ensure physical and cybersecurity. Additionally, they manage building projects, renovations, and repairs, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure a well-maintained and comfortable environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
To enhance their employability, candidates can pursue certifications such as the Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential offered by the American Hospital Association. This certification serves as a competitive advantage and demonstrates expertise and experience in healthcare facility management. The certification process typically involves passing an exam and having documented work experience in a healthcare setting. Maintaining the CHFM certification includes completing continuing education requirements, showcasing a commitment to professional development in the field.
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Certification: the CHFM credential is highly coveted and often required by hospitals
While certification is not always required to be a healthcare facility manager, it is worth pursuing. The Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential is highly sought after and often required by hospitals. The CHFM is offered by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and is considered the gold standard in certification for healthcare facility managers. The certification process involves passing an exam focused on five key areas of facilities management. To be eligible to take the exam, candidates must have a bachelor's degree and three years of associated engineering experience, three years of which must have been in a healthcare setting, including three years of management, supervisory, or administrative experience in a healthcare setting. Alternatively, candidates can have an associate degree and five years of the same type of experience.
The CHFM certification gives you a competitive edge in the job market and showcases your expertise and experience as a healthcare facility manager. The certification serves as proof of your work experience in medical facility management, construction, or facility maintenance. It also demonstrates your commitment to staying current in the field, as maintaining CHFM certification requires completing at least 45 contact hours of continuing education every three years.
To renew your CHFM certification, you must either retake the exam or document at least 45 hours of continuing professional education over your three-year certification period. You can submit your renewal up to 30 days after your expiration date with a $50 late fee. If you do not submit your renewal by the end of the 30-day grace period, you will have to retake and pass the exam to reinstate your credential.
In addition to the CHFM, some other organizations offer certifications specific to their areas of focus, such as the American Health Information Management Association and the Project Management Institute.
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Responsibilities: overseeing maintenance, security, operations, and compliance with regulations
A hospital facilities manager has a wide range of responsibilities, including overseeing maintenance, security, operations, and compliance with regulations. They are in charge of keeping the hospital safe, clean, functional, and comfortable for patients, visitors, and staff. This includes handling issues such as faulty light fixtures or damaged flooring, as well as addressing potential safety hazards and breaches in security.
In terms of maintenance, the facilities manager is responsible for creating a plan for facility management that includes processes and expectations for maintenance personnel. They also ensure that the facility is safe and functioning smoothly by routinely inspecting all elements or scheduling professional inspections as needed. This might include shutting down certain areas for maintenance or repairs, such as repainting patient rooms or accommodating ventilation maintenance.
Security and compliance are also key aspects of the role. Hospital facilities managers must handle both physical and cybersecurity, working closely with IT personnel to protect patient information and the facility from potential threats. They also ensure compliance with various laws and regulations, such as the False Claims Act (FCA), Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Additionally, they may need to obtain proper licensing from the state department of health, as requirements and procedures can vary by state.
Operations-wise, hospital facilities managers work to ensure that hospital operations run smoothly and are not interrupted by facilities issues. They may be involved in the purchase, installation, and maintenance of equipment, as well as building renovation and expansion projects. They also play a role in financial operations, developing and adhering to an operating budget, making investment decisions, and negotiating service agreements.
Overall, the role of a hospital facilities manager is diverse and challenging, requiring strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills to manage the various aspects of hospital maintenance, security, operations, and compliance.
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Skills: organisation, flexibility, and an analytical mind are key attributes
Organisation, flexibility, and an analytical mind are key attributes for a hospital facilities manager. The role is demanding and multifaceted, requiring excellent organisational skills to juggle the many responsibilities involved in managing a hospital's infrastructure and facilities operations.
A hospital facilities manager must be highly organised to oversee the development, maintenance, security, and operations of the hospital. They need to be able to manage a wide range of tasks, from handling routine duties to addressing safety hazards, security breaches, and maintenance issues. Organisation is crucial to ensure that all elements of the hospital's facilities are in proper working order, from patient rooms to waiting areas and operating rooms.
Flexibility is also essential. Hospital facilities managers must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities. They need to be comfortable working with a diverse range of staff, from surgeons to landscapers, and be able to handle unexpected issues and emergencies. A flexible approach enables them to manage the never-ending rotation of duties and address problems efficiently and effectively.
An analytical mind is a valuable asset for a hospital facilities manager. They need to be able to understand and interpret data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions. This includes analysing financial information to develop and manage budgets, as well as staying up-to-date with relevant codes, regulations, and standards to ensure compliance. A sharp memory is also advantageous, enabling them to recall local ordinances, federal guidelines, and industry standards.
In addition to these key skills, a hospital facilities manager should possess strong leadership and communication abilities. They play a pivotal role in ensuring the hospital runs smoothly, providing a safe, clean, functional, and comfortable environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
Most medical and health services managers need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation, although educational requirements vary by facility and specific function. Some employers hire candidates with an associate's degree, while others prefer a master's degree. Common majors include healthcare and related fields, such as health administration, construction management, or business.
Prospective managers typically need work experience in an administrative or clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility. Some positions may require candidates to be licensed, and certification is also worth pursuing. The Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential is highly coveted and often required by hospitals and hospital networks.
A hospital facilities manager is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, security, and operations of the hospital. They ensure the hospital meets conventional standards and those specific to healthcare settings. They also handle both physical and cybersecurity, including implementing and overseeing appropriate practices.
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 29% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 61,400 openings are projected each year, with a median annual wage of $117,960 as of May 2024.
