How do I Become a Managed Care Director?

To become a managed care director in the United States, you need to at least have a bachelor's degree in a relevant business discipline, or in health care administration. In some situations, employers may also be willing to hire candidates who have a degree in finance or accounting. For most of these jobs, employers prefer to hire candidates who have an advanced degree. Certifications are not usually required, though in some instances employers may request that applicants have them.

Candidates who are ideal for these positions also have excellent computer capabilities. You should be familiar with a wide variety of software programs, particularly word processing, spreadsheets, and those that are typically used by health care management facilities. If you want to become a managed care director, you should be comfortable working on a computer for extended periods of time. Eye strain can be a factor with these positions, as can fatigue from sitting in front of a computer for prolonged periods.

While a great deal of your work might be completed independently, most people who work in these positions also spend a lot of time interacting with others. You should be prepared for attending a lot of meetings, some of which might occur at different locations. You might also be responsible for coordinating the efforts of other employees, as well as supervising their activities. If you want to become a managed care director, you should be prepared to work extended hours, at least on occasion. In some positions, working extended hours, weekends, and holidays may be a normal part of the job.

You need to be knowledgeable of health care practices and administration. This includes standard operation procedures and the handling of contracts and negotiations, as well as insurance policies and procedures. In many managed care positions, you might also need to be familiar with coding regulations and government guidelines, though this is not the case with every position.

For the most part, you should have at least five to ten years of relevant experience, if you want to become a managed care director. Generally, only those individuals who have the best combination of education and experience are hired for these positions. You should also be able to demonstrate to potential employers that you have the ability to be a firm and effective negotiator. If you have strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing, it will be to your benefit as you go through the interview process.