How Do I Become a Clinical Manager?

A clinical manager oversees the operations of a management facility, performing a wide range of planning, implementation, budgeting, and staff management tasks. A bachelor's degree is often required of a person who wants to become a clinical manager, and choosing a health-related major such as medical services administration may help you land this job. You can also benefit from gaining experience in this field by working in a medical office or hospital as an employee or an intern. Additionally, most employers prefer to hire candidates with a range of skills, including those that involve multitasking, delegation, and leadership.

You will typically need a minimum level of education to become a clinical manager. Often, employers prefer to hire job applicants who possess bachelor's degrees for these positions. Though the requirements may vary from employer to employer, many employers prefer candidates who have earned health-related degrees, such as those in healthcare administration. No matter which degree program you choose, however, you will most likely benefit from taking courses in such subjects as healthcare management, financial management, and healthcare administration. Classes in subjects such as medical care law, organization in health care, and ethics may also help you prepare to become a clinical manager.

In many cases, experience is necessary to be hired as a clinical manager. To have a better chance of landing the position you want, you may do well to secure an entry-level position in a medical office or facility and then use the experience and skills you gain to help you become a clinical manager. Management experience may also improve your chances of being hired, even if the work is not related to the medical field. Alternatively, you could secure a related internship to help you get the experience and build the skills you need for this type of job. An internship may prove to be a particularly good choice if you are still in college or have just graduated.

Many employers also prefer to hire clinical manager candidates who have particular skill sets. For example, an employer may expect you to have strong multitasking skills in order to handle several responsibilities seamlessly. Likewise, he might give preference to job candidates who have the ability to delegate tasks to others. Additionally, you may have a good chance of succeeding once you become a clinical manager if you are able to comprehend a good deal of information at once and use it effectively as part of your job.