As healthcare spending increases and more baby boomers age into retirement, there are a wealth of healthcare positions available. Professionals with a desire to serve others, make a difference in the world, and put their skills to use in the healthcare field have virtually unlimited opportunities to grow their careers and work into leadership roles.
Depending on your skills, you could find positions in human resources, accounting, IT, policy and more. Check out some of these Healthcare Executive positions to learn more about salary, potential opportunities, and what to expect from these roles.
Chief Patient Safety Officer
Average salary: $81,297
With medical errors on the rise and the rise of antibiotic resistance, many hospitals are hiring Chief Patient Safety Officers. This position will be vital in reducing the risks associated with seeking care in a hospital setting. Those with experience in Nursing or other roles directly serving patients will excel in this role.
Chief Patient Experience Officer
Average salary: $167,000
Pushback on hospitals and other healthcare providers have led hospitals to institute the role of CXO, or Chief Patient Experience Officer. This newer role was developed to improve the patient and family experience as they receive needed healthcare. (In fact, the first major academic medical center to implement this role did so in 2007.) As this position is so new, educational requirements vary, from expecting an MD, to an MBA or MSN.
Chief Compliance Officer
Average salary: $149,046
In the hospital setting, Chief Compliance Officers are tasked with ensuring rules and regulations are adhered to and creating a plan to do so. They may identify violations, create strategic policy implementation plans, monitor audits from outside sources, and report on progress to internal stakeholders. Requirements for this role can vary, but typically call for at least a bachelor’s degree and typically a master’s degree in business.
Chief Innovation Officer
Average salary: $117,708
This is yet another new role to the healthcare industry, and major medical players are hiring Chief Innovation Officers to stay abreast of industry trends, implement new procedures and policies, support best practices, and identify areas of investment in new ideas or products. To be hired in this role, most employers require at least a bachelor’s degree with years of industry experience.
Chief Clinical Officer
Average salary: $130,807
Like the Chief Patient Experience Officer, the Chief Clinical Officer works to promote a better patient experience and outcome. They may also support hospital regulations and policies by training staff and recruiting other positions. Adaptability and flexibility are important skills as they're often at the forefront of change. An MBA can help provide the skills needed to lead interdisciplinary teams and improve processes.
Chief of Staff
Average salary: $123,045
The Chief of Staff may also oversee all medical staff at a location and act as a liaison between staff, administration, and the hospital board. A Chief of Staff at a hospital system can provide critical support to the CEO. Often, when the CEO has more demands than hours of a day, a Chief of Staff can support them by attending functions, making decisions, or overseeing a special project. This person should have a strong understanding of their skills and how they can add to the CEO’s abilities.
Chief Government Relations Officer
Average salary: $84,400
If policy and legislation surrounding health care intrigues you, a position as a Chief Government Relations Officer might be just the right fit. As government becomes increasingly involved in healthcare and new policies are brought to the table, the Chief Government Relations Officer can help educate and inform policy makers. They may also be a resource to policy makers as they ask questions about healthcare and medical institutions. Typically this role requires at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience in a related area.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Average salary: $153,369
The Chief Human Resources Officer is responsible for all aspects of human resources within the organization. They lead and create company culture, help make decisions about compensation, perform talent management, and more. With hospitals and other organizations often having hundreds if not more of staff on hand, this role is vital to the organization’s daily functioning. Professionals in this role are often expected to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resources, business administration or management. Earning a Senior Professional Human Resources certification can also give you an edge when applying for this type of position.
Related article: Grow in the Business of Healthcare
If your dream is working as an executive or in the c-suite of a healthcare organization, earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree can be a great next step. SNU has several degree options meeting the suggested requirements, like our bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership, or our master’s degrees in Management and Business Administration or our MBA-Health Care. Contact us today to learn how you can join other professionals making real progress toward their degrees taking classes online or one night a week.
