How to become a Leader in Healthcare

Healthcare needs strong leaders to support quality patient care. As a leader, you’ll manage teams and resourcing to make sure everything’s running smoothly.

If you’re looking to land a leadership role in admin, nursing, allied health or another healthcare sector, you’ll need the education, skills and experience to get there. This article will walk you through everything you need to succeed in this pathway.

What is healthcare leadership?

Leadership in healthcare can mean a lot of things. But broadly speaking, it’s any person leading others in a health setting.

In nursing, leadership roles include titles like Nurse Manager and Director of Nursing. In aged care, you could be a Care Manager mentoring clinical staff. In healthcare administration, leaders are called Practice Managers. 

No matter the field, all good healthcare leaders should motivate and guide employees toward shared goals.

Top leadership skills in healthcare 

Most healthcare management jobs require a number of personality traits and developed skills in order to succeed. Foremost among these are:

• Self-confidence

• Problem-solving skills

• Motivational skills

• Honesty

• Integrity

• Authority

• Professionalism 

• People skills

No single trait or skill can make a leader. The best leaders combine these qualities to achieve business goals.

Leadership styles in healthcare

There are practices that allow leaders to go the extra mile in their organisations. These leadership styles are often displayed by the besthealthcare leaders and are worth keeping in mind as you develop your career.

1. Frontline

When the going gets tough, leaders step out to the front of the pack. Frontline leaders will always get their hands dirty, helping their staff with whatever needs doing. 

1. Visionary

Having a vision is a big part of being a good leader. That usually involves strategic goals of the business, personal KPIs and employee development. The next step is clearly communicating that vision to employees.

1. Transformational

The healthcare industry is notorious for outdated processes. Transformational leaders critically analyse the way things are done. They don’t accept “that’s just how we’ve always done it” — they find better ways of doing things to make everyone’s life easier

1. Supportive

Sharing glory and recognition for achievement can really improve team productivity. Supportive leaders see and call out achievements and make sure their staff have everything they need to succeed.

Healthcare leadership education and outcomes

Healthcare leadership isn't just one job — it's a collection of roles that keep our health system running smoothly. Each pathway has specific education requirements to get you job-ready.

Health administration leadership

In health services, Practice Managers are usually top of the pecking order. They handle everything from staff scheduling to patient flow, making sure medical practices run smoothly.

The CHC50213 Diploma of Practice Management prepares you for practice management roles across GP clinics, specialist practices and allied health centres.

Nursing leadership

Nurse Managers and Directors oversee patient care and processes and manage nursing teams. Most nursing leadership positions require a Bachelor of Nursing plus several years of clinical experience. Some employers want candidates with extra qualifications in management or healthcare administration.

Aged care management

There are heaps of leadership roles in aged care — some managers take care of operations and others focus more on quality of care. You’ll start with a Certificate III or IV in Aged Care, Nursing or Community Services and then work your way up into leadership.

Allied health leadership

Allied health professionals can move into team leader roles across physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nutrition services. These positions usually require a bachelor's degree in an allied health discipline or health management.

Your pathway to leadership in healthcare

Leadership is a skill that must be developed. The good news is anyone can learn and practice the skills required to be a great leader.

If you think you have what it takes to be a leader and want to pursue a Practice Manager or Health Administration Manager position, check out our Diploma of Practice Management. Otherwise, our dental and allied health courses may be a good starting place for a career in health. 

Talk to a careers advisor on 1300 616 197 or explore our wider catalogue of courses today.

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