What it needs to be a project manager in Healthcare Industry

The modern healthcare industry has its challenges. That is why the role of the project manager in the healthcare industry is exciting and is one of the popular career choices in the healthcare industry. Even though the role of the Project Manager is still fairly new in the healthcare industry, the project manager’s jobs in the healthcare industry are poised to grow in the next 10 years. It is projected that for the next five years the project manager roles in the healthcare industry in the US are projected to grow by 12 percent every year. PMI has already mentioned in its report that there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of project managers in the healthcare industry. Thus, there is no doubt the role of a project manager in the healthcare industry is going to be in high demand. If you are one of the aspirants, aspiring for the role of project manager in the healthcare industry, then this article is for you. At the end of this article, you will know what it needs to be a project manager in the healthcare industry.

What will be your job profile as a healthcare project manager?

Your role will be much different from the conventional project manager. It will be full of challenges and opportunities to learn something new. Typically, a healthcare PM needs to manage different types of projects in the healthcare organization. Let’s list out some of the probable projects that you might manage:

• Upgrading the medical equipment in a certain department.
• Building a new wing
• Hiring a specialized team
• Upgrading the IT infrastructure
• Developing an emergency response system

These are only some of the scenarios, but there could be many more. Being a project manager in a healthcare industry you have to work with different cross-functional teams, with different skills and competencies. This is very different from a project manager in IT or a project manager in the construction industry where skills are based on a particular field or area.

Being a PM, you have to identify the issue, develop a solution framework, delegate tasks and monitor the overall progress of the project. As a PM you have to ensure that project is completed on schedule as well as it is completed within budget. Some of the projects in the medical industry are time-bound, as they might be associated with critical services. For example, building ancillary ICU units for neonatal care. One of the key requirements of a project manager is to communicate effectively to different stakeholders, this includes hospital boards, executives, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams.

The role of a project manager could be very demanding, as you might have to manage multiple projects within the organization, and these projects are in different areas. You also need to take care of the deadlines, which involve completing milestones on time.

What skills do you require for a project manager in the healthcare industry?

A project manager plays a key role in the completion of the projects successfully. However, to complete the project successfully, the right set of skills is required. With the right skills, you will not only manage the projects successfully but will be also capable to deliver under pressure. Right skills will help you to remain focused on the project, at the same time being calm and stress-free. Some of the key qualities which a project manager should possess are listed below:

Leadership Skills: A project manager needs to lead the team, which includes both resources and stakeholders. He should be the one whom people will approach for answers and regular updates. As a project manager, you need to motivate others to deliver the best. This will ensure project quality standards, adherence to the project schedule, and completion of the project within the allocated budget.

Interpersonal Skills: Being a PM you have to listen to your team. You have to communicate effectively to the team members, as we as to the executive teams. You have to collaborate with different team members and stakeholders.

Multitasking: A project manager might have to look into multiple tasks in one project. Sometimes, he might have to juggle different projects. There will be conflicts as well, between different tasks & projects. Thus, without multitasking effective project manager is not possible.

Problem Solving Skills: There will be many challenges that will come across while working on a project. As a project manager, you should have problem-solving skills to find solutions to these problems or challenges. Problems not only need to be solved but need to be resolved on time.

Flexibility: A project manager should be flexible to different scenarios and situations With a greater level of flexibility he will be able to adapt to the project challenges in a much better and equipped manner.

What certification do you need to do for the role of the project manager in the healthcare industry?

Get the right skills in project management with certification in PMP from PMI (Project Management Institute). PMP certification is one of the most prestigious as well as most sought-after certifications in the field of project management. So, if you already got a formal degree in health management, health administration, hospitality management, or business administration, then a certification in PMP can kickstart your career as a project manager in the healthcare industry. With PMI certification you get the required competence level. It keeps you ahead of your competitors who might be working as project manager but is not certified on PMP. 

Are you the right candidate for project manager in the healthcare industry?

If you have already done a course in the healthcare industry, you can take up the role of a project manager with the right skills. Don’t limit yourself only to certain defined roles in the healthcare industry, and let your aspirations grow by adopting the challenging role of a project manager.