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Continuing Care Administrator, Executive Lead, Health Administrator, Health Authority, Hospital Administrator, Primary Care Administrator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $34.23 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $52.74 |
| Top | $68.08 |
Interest in co-ordinating information to direct, control and evaluate the delivery of health care services within departments and establishments; and in directing health care supervisors and professionals, and in recruiting health care staff
Interest in negotiating with a board of directors and senior managers to maintain and establish standards of health care; and in monitoring the use of diagnostic services, in-patient beds and facilities to ensure effective use of of resources
Interest in developing and implementing plans for new programs, special projects, new material and equipment acquisitions and future staffing levels for the departments and establishments
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Health service administrators may be in charge of an entire organization or a specific location. They may manage one or more programs or departments within an organization. In general, they:
In general, health service administrators work in an office setting. They rarely work regular office hours. They often attend meetings or complete tasks beyond the 8-hour workday.
They may need to travel between sites or programs within the organization and to other health service organizations.
Health service administrators ensure their organization is effective. They must ensure the utmost quality in the programs and services they provide. At times the work can be stressful.
Health service administrators need to possess:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 23 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 18, 2020 and Jun 11, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Oversee the analysis of data and information | 23 |
|---|---|
| Oversee the preparation of reports | 21 |
| Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Values and ethics | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent written communication | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 21 |
| Personal Suitability: Judgement | 21 |
There are no standard education requirements. They vary with the position, size, and nature of the health service organization. Employers may promote from within the organization or hire applicants who have related post-secondary education or certification.
Health service administrators need both education and experience. Those with a background in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or accounting may take continuing education courses in health service administration or management. Those with graduate degrees in health management most often start in junior admin positions and get on-the-job experience in not-for-profit organizations.
There are many education options for Albertans interested in this field. For example:
Certified members must take part in the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.
Programs include one-week intramural classes held in Ottawa every April. CHA Learning has an agreement with Athabasca University regarding articulation credits for some programs.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
For a list of health leadership-related master’s programs, see the CCHL Strategic Alliances and Partners web page. For a list of health leadership-related certificate programs, see the CCHL Certification web page.
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Those interested in a role as a health administrator may also become certified in:
Health service administrators work for:
Some administrators start in junior positions and advance to senior management. Others start in small not-for-profits and move on to senior positions in larger organizations.
Health service administrators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0311: Managers in health care. In Alberta, 88% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 0311: Managers in health care occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.7% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 112 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for health service administrators vary greatly depending on the size and nature of the health service organization and the administrator’s qualifications and experience.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $21.69 | $48.53 | $34.23 | $30.17 |
| Overall | $35.00 | $66.89 | $52.74 | $54.63 |
| Top | $37.00 | $92.48 | $68.08 | $69.09 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $105,872 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $100,948 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $100,755 |
Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) website: www.cchl-ccls.ca
HealthCareCAN website: www.healthcarecan.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.