Becoming a Hospital Human Resource Manager

A hospital is a microcosmic community that operates like a small city, presenting the same issues with a stronger dynamic due to the human interaction factor. With functions that cover everything from performance management to safety, Human Resources Management plays a vital role in the health care workplace in ensuring the delivery of health care services and facilitating optimal patient outcomes. In any health care setting, the Human Resource department fills a variety of personnel needs that both employers and employees encounter. The role of this department is to manage all aspects of operations that are personnel related.

Examples of Specific Human Resources Management Functions Include:

– Hiring
– Physician and Nurse Recruitment
– Employee Orientation
– Personnel Management
– Benefits & Compensation Management
– Counseling
– Claims Handling
– Training and Performance Monitoring
– Professional Development Programs
– State and Federal Regulations Education
– Work place Safety and Sanitation
– Labor Mediation
– Administration – Employee Meetings
– Staff Morale & Retention

Personnel Management
The personnel department hires and fires employees and locates temporary workers when needed. Management handles all the financial and time related aspects of an employees work life. Human resource management makes decisions about the personal health, progress and welfare of workers.

Counseling
A human resources counselor is a very specialized position that may require advanced training and certification. In certain HR Counseling jobs, a bachelor’s degree in Counseling or higher is often mandatory. Counseling at the work place can involve sessions with employees who have marital, drug and alcohol related issues or family crises.

Claims Handling
In any business a variety of circumstances can arise that require employees to file a claim. These instances could include injury, layoff, getting fired or an incident of harassment or related experience. Human Resource professionals specialize in all areas of labor claims and have the proper knowledge of state and federal laws regarding claims handling.

Training and Performance Monitoring
A primary task performed by human resources is quality control. Employees can be trained to perform at optimal levels by utilizing their primary skills. Human Resources specialists develop tests to monitor skill levels that can be administered during the hiring process or later in the term of employment. Additionally, Human Resources Managers work closely with both clinical and non-clinical department managers in order to develop relevant professional development programs and provide useful continuing education opportunities for employees.

Modern Advancements in the Field Provide More Opportunities
Human Resources have evolved dramatically in the last few decades into an all inclusive management department. At one time, this part of a business was solely clerical. It was delegated to the personnel department who handled hiring, firing, book keeping and payroll. Advances in work place management have opened the door for more specialized needs and roles of employees. In turn, personnel departments grew into a highly specialized field with either an internal or external human resources department.

Summary of Common Human Resource Functions
Each departmental role is intricate which often leaves the employee or employer wondering where and how to address certain concerns. A guidebook is an easy, efficient way to provide a tool that will answer many questions. Common issues outlined in a question and answer format offers an easy to navigate guide that can be distributed to everyone. Human Resource personnel usually gather the data to compile such a guide book and distribute copies to all employees under their management.

Meetings between Staff, Employees and Administration
Human Resource Management maintains the lines of communication at all levels to better manage business personnel. Regular meetings are an efficient way to discuss issues and needs. Personal interaction opens dialogue for suggestions and grievances between administration, staff and employees. Meetings build trust and confidence in a company and assure that quality control is in place effectively. Communication is a core tenet in group dynamic principles. This part of the workplace interaction is guided by human resource specialists. In a research series, communication will be explored as a group dynamic to show its effectiveness in improving employer-employee relationships and company productivity.

Human Resource Management is Vital in Health Care
Effective human resources management plays a crucial role in the success of health care systems. Proper management of human resources is vital in the recruitment and retention of clinical and non-clinical staff, maintaining staff morale, providing opportunities for professional development, and in the ability of a health care organization to deliver quality health care services and improve patient health outcomes.

Education and Training
Many colleges and universities have programs leading to a degree in personnel, human resources, or labor relations. Some offer degree programs in human resources administration or human resources management, training and development, or compensation and benefits. Depending on the school, courses leading to a career in human resources management may be found in departments of business administration, education, instructional technology, organizational development, human services, communication, or public administration, or within a separate human resources institution or department. An advanced degree is increasingly important for some jobs. Many labor relations jobs require graduate study in industrial or labor relations. A strong background in industrial relations and law is highly desirable for contract negotiators, mediators, and arbitrators; in fact, many people in these specialties are lawyers. A background in law also is desirable for employee benefits managers and others who must interpret the growing number of laws and regulations. A master’s degree in human resources, labor relations, or in business administration with a concentration in human resources management is highly recommended for those seeking general and top management positions.

Human Resource Management Degree Programs Online
Online degree programs make it possible for working adults to earn an advanced degree whenever and wherever it`s convenient for them, rather than having to rearrange work and family responsibilities around fixed class schedules. This ability to continue earning a living while learning is making school accessible to millions of working professionals who would find it impossible to return to school otherwise.