5 Characteristics of a Successful Clinical Manager

Outstanding Clinical Director Skills

Good Listening Skills
Integrity
Empathy
Organizational Skills
Excellent Training

What characteristics do I need to succeed as a clinical manager? This question is asked often by those who are considering pursuing a career in this field. The following article will talk about the characteristics needed in order for someone to succeed as a clinical manager.

Before we go any further, it is important to cover the basic question–what is a clinical manager? Simply put, a clinical manager is responsible for all of the managing duties of a clinical facility. This could include scouting and hiring new employees or training current employees. It may also include tasks such as working out a budget or communicating with executives. Clinical managers are also responsible for coordinating patient care. The list of duties of a clinical manager is extensive, and it is likely to be changing on a daily basis.

There are certain characteristics that can be found in any successful clinical manager. Clinical managers are also known as medical and health services managers. They are trained professionals who work in both medical and administrative capacities in a healthcare facility. This profession may find them working in clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient facilities.

Their duties at any of these facilities would be widespread. These could include overseeing the staff, making schedules, monitoring and setting budgets, implementing policies, and speaking with patients regarding patient care. Their primary work involves leading and caring for the employees of a particular organization.

Clinical directors should also be prepared to deal with both coworkers and employees in a variety of settings and situations. It is a good idea to go into the field with eyes wide open, so to have a good idea of exactly what clinical managers do and what kind of traits will help someone succeed as a clinical manager.

1. Good Listening & Communication Skills

By its very definition, a manager is responsible for managing people. It is impossible to manage people well without possessing good listening and communication skills. Regardless of where a clinical manager works, there are sure to be employees with different opinions and thoughts. Clinical managers must have good listening skills so that the staff feels comfortable coming to them with any ideas or concerns that they may have. Staff members need to feel heard and valued when communicating with their clinical manager. It is worth noting that good communication skills involve not only being able to listen, but also being able to communicate back.

The more voices that can be heard in a medical facility, the better chance of good ideas being heard and responded to. Employees who feel that their clinical manager not only listens to them but also cares about their concerns are going to be happier employees. As a result, the healthcare facility will thrive, because happy employees are almost always productive employees.

2. Integrity

Integrity is arguably the most important characteristic in a person, and more specifically in an employee, no matter what the profession. Integrity is an especially necessary trait for a clinical manager. Like most medical personnel, the main goal of a clinical manager is to help people. To do this well, a clinical manager must have the well being of each individual they deal with at the forefront of their mind. Integrity is also an important quality, as it sets an example for the many employees that a clinical manager handles. Seeing that a clinical manager oversees an entire staff, it is of great importance that they set a good example to the staff.

A person of integrity has a deep sense of right and wrong, and makes choices with this in mind. A good clinical manager must maintain an environment where honesty and respect are rewarded, and dishonesty and disrespect are not tolerated. Likewise, a good clinical manager is under no circumstances a bully. Not only that, but they must never allow bullying among the staff. Honesty and trustworthiness are also essential qualities.

There are HIPAA laws that require medical professionals to keep patient confidentiality, but it is a good clinical manager who encourages the same behavior within the staff. The best way of encouraging this positive behavior is by example. So much of the job of a clinical manager involves managing a staff. The choices they make, whether or not they are based on integrity, will have a direct effect on the entire staff,and as a result, the organization as a whole.

3. Empathy

Empathy, which is being able to understand and share the feelings of others, is important in all areas of our lives. It is especially necessary with clinical managers. This is because they are not only there to help patients but also to manage an entire staff of medical professionals. A clinical manager will be the first one to hear about an issue that a worker has, and it is important that they can handle any concerns brought to them with kindness and wisdom.

A worker who has the opportunity to see the boss show empathy is more likely to show the same empathy to co-workers. A successful leader should show the same empathy to the staff as they do towards patients. A clinical manager who has empathy will listen to each member of their staff. They should also make attempts to share and understand their concerns and put themselves in the individuals’ shoes. When employees are heard, understood, and supported as they voice their concerns and opinions, it makes a difference. An empathetic clinical manager will likely result in employees who are willing to work hard and who feel dedicated to their organization and to helping it to succeed.

4. Organizational Skills

Good skills in the area of organization are a must in all leadership positions. They are especially necessary in a medical facility or office. The staff is only going to be as organized as its leader. Since clinical managers perform both clinical and administrative duties, it is important that they have good organizational skills. If they do not possess these, it is likely that the facility would be a mess.

Many of the day to day duties of a clinical manager revolve around organization. These include creating work schedules, drafting budgets, organizing tax forms, and overseeing medical billings. These can not be done well without organization. Additionally, clinical managers must be able to set not only short-term goals but long-term goals as well. They are often required to make strategic decisions, and these would be a lot more difficult if they were lacking organizational skills. Clinical managers are also responsible for coordinating patient care. This involves clear organization and communication between healthcare workers and patients. This cannot be done without good organizational skills.

In order for a patient’s needs to be met in the best possible manner, it is imperative that everyone involved has a clear picture of a care plan. Without this, there will be unhappy patients, as well as unhappy healthcare workers. If a clinical manager is organized in their duties, it will trickle down and positively affect everyone else. Having good organizational skills also makes it possible for the clinical manager to assign duties and ensure the facility operates as efficiently as possible.

5. Excellent Training

Becoming a successful clinical manager does not happen overnight. Nor will it happen just because an individual applies for and gets the position as a clinical manager. In order to be successful at the job, the clinical manager must have very good training and education. Their duties involve much more than just completing a day’s work in the clinic or office.

A clinical manager who is properly trained can run the staff as a team leader and encourage the same from the staff. Most training programs include not only coursework but internships as well. These internship opportunities provide hands-on training under the supervision of a clinical manager. When choosing to pursue an education to become a clinical manager, it is a good idea to think through what kind of training is most likely to help you succeed. These choices are all important to help someone ultimately succeed in the healthcare field as a clinical manager.

How Do I Become a Clinical Manager?

If this list of qualities describes you, then a career as a clinical manager might just be a good option to pursue. The minimum education requirement to become a clinical manager is a bachelor’s degree. This degree should be earned in a related field. Some good options of related fields include health management, health administration, business administration, or nursing. Although not always necessary, a few years of experience within the healthcare world would be a helpful next step. Gaining this workplace experience would greatly improve your resume.

Additionally, it could be helpful in narrowing your field of interest. The healthcare world is vast, with many options for specializations. With only a few years of experience after graduation, you may have a clearer picture of which specific area of healthcare you would like to focus on. At this point, you could either pursue a master’s degree in a more specific field, which would help your potential for future earnings, or begin to apply for jobs as a clinical manager.

The need for good clinical managers is greater than ever. The aging population and the increasing need for good healthcare have put clinical managers very much in demand. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , it is predicted that medical and health services managers should see an 18% increase in job growth over the next ten years. Clinical managers have the opportunity to make a good salary while helping people in a way that has a lasting effect.

It is obviously very important to receive all the necessary training and education to prepare for a career as a clinical manager. However, as we have shown in this article, training and education alone are not what will guarantee success as a clinical manager. Good training and education paired with the characteristics necessary to be a successful clinical manager can be the formula for a rewarding career.

MPH Staff, Updated October 2022

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