How to Become a Hospital HR Manager

Recently, we wrote about what you can do with an accredited Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management, and here, we’ll explain how you can use your degree to get one of the industry’s best jobs, the role of a hospital HR manager.

This fantastic job allows you to oversee a significant department of a hospital, handling all of the organization’s human resources issues and responsibilities. 

This post will explore why you should consider getting in this line of work, what you’ll be asked to do on the job, what you’ll need to do to prepare for a job in this field, and how you can increase your chance of landing a good job in this competitive industry.

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about launching a career as a hospital HR manager, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Master’s Degree in HR Management. 

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Is Becoming a Hospital Human Resources Manager a Good Career Option?

Yes, this is a great field for launching a lifelong career, and there are three excellent reasons to think about becoming a hospital HR professional:

1. Demand for qualified hospital HR managers is increasing, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that employment for this role will rise 32% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations.
2. Hospital HR managers play an essential role in modern hospitals, being responsible for every aspect of human resources, from organizational training and development to ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
3. This is a well-paid position, with BLS reporting that hospital HR managers earned an annual average salary of $101,340 as of May 2021.

While you may think of human resources as being a simple administrative position, this role is so much more interesting and engaging than it may seem at first glance. 

Not only would you get to play a critical role ensuring that a hospital functions smoothly by watching out for the well-being of the employees, but you’d also get to oversee all of the critical HR tasks like hiring, compensation, and benefits; employee morale; training; and other interesting and important responsibilities. 

If you’re looking for a career with room for advancement, good pay, stability, and the chance to work with people and make a real difference in organizational and employee performance, then hospital human resources might be the perfect field for you.

What Does a Hospital HR Manager Actually Do?

A hospital HR manager is in charge of all human resource functions, including ensuring that the hospital complies with all state and federal regulations concerning employee hiring, firing, benefits, and other human resource issues. 

As a professional Hospital HR Manager, you may be asked to handle tasks like: 

• Recruiting and interviewing new employees.
• Administering employee benefit programs.
• Coordinating training initiatives for hospital staff.
• Overseeing payroll processes.
• Ensuring legal compliance with HR regulations.
• Handling all employee relations issues.

In this role, you may also be responsible for overseeing the hospital’s recruiting efforts, onboarding of new employees, maintenance of personnel records, and administration of employee benefit plans.

This position necessitates a thorough understanding of all aspects of human resources, and critically, the ability and knowledge of how to apply all HR-related laws, rules, and regulations to keep the organization in compliance with state and federal employment laws.

Successful hospital HR managers must wear several hats, as they need to be excellent communicators, expert project managers, and skilled accountants, since they’re responsible for managing a variety of projects, maintaining budgets, and working well under pressure. 

To deliver real value on the job, you’ll need to be capable of working both independently when necessary and as part of a team with other managers and personnel, who frequently have competing priorities.

To summarize, the ideal candidate should be able to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively resolve conflicts between employees.
• Keep up with the latest trends in technology used by HR departments.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and leadership skills.
• Work in a fast-paced environment and under pressure while successfully handling multiple projects at a time.
• Create innovative solutions for tackling employee relations issues, like reducing turnover rates, morale problems, and pay or compensation concerns.

As a hospital HR manager, you should expect to have a full plate of important responsibilities, but you can also expect to be viewed as one of the most important individuals responsible for driving organizational success.

If you’re interested in working in this space, you’ll need to focus on developing a particular set of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in this challenging role.

What Skills & Abilities Are Needed to Become a Successful Hospital HR Manager?

There are a few key skills and abilities that you will need to possess to be successful as a hospital HR manager, including skills like:

• The ability to manage and lead people: To be successful as a hospital HR manager, you’ll need to effectively manage and lead people. Leadership tasks may include motivating employees, setting expectations, and resolving conflicts.
• The ability to handle complex data: As a hospital HR manager, you may be responsible for handling or overseeing the management of complex data sets. For this reason, you’ll need to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively: Communication is extremely important for every job position, but especially as a hospital HR manager, where you may be responsible for communicating effectively with management, employees, and a whole series of other stakeholders.
• The ability to stay organized: In this role, you’re likely to be responsible for managing a lot of different tasks and projects at once. To successfully balance these responsibilities, you will need to stay well-organized.

Fortunately, while you may not already have all of these skills and abilities, you can develop them by completing a related master’s degree program with CSU Global.

Our Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management is the perfect program for anyone interested in preparing to get a job as a hospital HR manager.

Do I Really Need a Master’s Degree to Become a Hospital HR Manager?

To be considered for this position, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that you will likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, but they also point out that master’s degrees are common for these types of roles. 

Remember that this role serves an important function in modern hospitals, as the person in charge of the HR department is responsible for a series of mission-critical tasks, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to land this job title without compelling academic credentials to prove that you’re capable of handling the workload.

If you’re serious about trying to become a hospital HR manager, you should certainly first focus on getting a relevant degree from a reputable higher education institution like CSU Global.

Our online Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Human Resources are the ideal options for helping you develop the skills and abilities you’ll need to serve as a successful hospital HR manager, and for improving your marketability when it comes time to apply for this competitive job.

How Can a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Help Me Become a Hospital HR Manager?

CSU Global’s Master of Human Resource Management focuses specifically on HR-related tasks and procedures, ensuring that you’ll graduate prepared to accomplish the types of tasks you’ll face when working as a hospital HR manager.

This program emphasizes instruction in:

• Leading dynamic and diverse teams of employees.
• Making legal and ethical decisions.
• Managing employee performance to achieve optimal results.
• Strategically planning and executing HR initiatives. 

Obtaining your degree will prepare you for becoming a hospital HR manager by helping to develop your foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities in human resources.

What Else Can I Do to Increase My Chances of Success?

While completing a master’s program in a relevant field is the most important thing you can do to increase your chances of becoming a hospital HR manager, there are several other things you may want to consider.

You might want to think about completing a relevant certification program in addition to your master’s degree, as this can further boost your resume by proving that you’ve developed specific skills and abilities required for this role.

While there are many different certifications available to people looking to become HR managers, the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration offers the perfect program for anyone who wants to get into hospital HR management, via their Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR) professional designation.

Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily need a master’s degree or a certification to become a hospital HR manager, but that the better your academic credentials and experience are, the more likely you’ll be able to land one of the better jobs in this field.

Finally, remember that the specific title of “Hospital HR Manager” is not an entry-level role and that getting this job will most likely require some experience working in this specific industry before you can get hired into this competitive position.

To increase your chances of becoming a hospital HR manager, we recommend gaining at least some entry-level experience working in the healthcare environment, even if it’s only at a junior-level role in human resources.

The work you do in an entry-level position may not be super challenging or interesting, but it could provide invaluable experience and a great boost to your resume when it comes time to apply for a role in hospital HR management.

Working as an entry-level or mid-level HR professional will help give you a better understanding of what employees need and expect regarding HR processes, policies, and procedures – knowledge that is sure to be beneficial once you attempt to transition to a role in HR management.

The most important thing to remember is that there are several paths you can take to becoming a hospital HR manager, but that the most critical part of the process is ensuring you’ve put in the time required to develop the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ll need to be successful in this challenging role.

Should I Get My Degree Online?

Yes, no matter which degree or certificate you choose to pursue, we certainly suggest completing your education online rather than in person.

Studying online offers many benefits compared to in-person learning, but the most important is that it provides much more flexibility and freedom, as you can learn anytime and from anywhere that you’ve got a solid internet connection.

In fact, should you choose to study online with us at CSU Global, you’ll get to take advantage of several excellent benefits provided by our 100% online programs, including:

• No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
• Monthly class starts.
• Accelerated courses.

Our students report that these benefits have made it easier to complete their degrees while accomplishing their other responsibilities, including work and family duties.

If you’re a busy person worried about finding the time to attend to new educational pursuits, then you should consider getting your degree online with us.

Why Should I Choose to Study at CSU Global?

Our 100% online Master’s in Human Resource Management is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, aligned with the SHRM HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates, and holds the #2 ranking for Best Online Master’s in Human Resources by Online Course Report.

This program was designed to provide you with the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ll need to launch a successful career as a hospital HR manager, and our alumni’s experience from the job market speaks to the value that it delivers.

The top three job titles reported from this program’s alumni are HR Director, Corporate Recruiter, and Employee Relations Manager, and our alumni report earning an average annual salary of $74,509 just three years after completing their degree.

This is the perfect program for preparing to become a hospital HR manager, as your education will focus on helping you develop the knowledge, HR-specific skills, and abilities you need to deliver successful results from your first day on the job.

Furthermore, you can count on your degree making a difference, as CSU Global is widely regarded as an industry leader in higher education, having earned several important rankings, including:

• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
• A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure that your affordable tuition rate won’t increase as long as you remain enrolled with us, which protects you from the tuition rate hikes that are common at other schools.

To get additional details about our fully-accredited online Master’s Degree in HR Management, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!