If you are currently a health or social care professional wanting to progress into healthcare leadership, we have all you need to know. Read about leadership styles in healthcare, and the sorts of fields you can specialise in to progress your career.  
 

Overview of leadership in the healthcare industry 

The role of leadership in the healthcare industry is an extremely important one. Healthcare leadership is essential to efficiently utilise resources and management processes, along with setting goals and overall missions for the specific organisation. 

Leadership styles in healthcare

A successful healthcare leader will have high energy levels, be able to handle stressful situations, have personal integrity and be achievement oriented. But that’s not to say that all healthcare leaders’ styles are the same. In fact, a variation of different leadership styles in healthcare can aid the organisation’s ability to function efficiently.

Here are just some of the healthcare leadership styles you can expect to encounter: 

• Autocratic leadership involves making quick, decisive actions, often necessary in emergencies. 

• Laissez-faire leadership involves a ‘hands-off’ approach; providing minimal guidance and allowing team members to manage their own tasks. 

• Transformational leadership inspires and motivates teams toward shared goals. 

• Transactional leadership focuses on structure, rules and rewards for efficiency.  

• Servant leadership focuses on meeting the needs of staff and patients first, through empathy and support.  

• Democratic leadership encourages collaboration and input from the team. 

A great healthcare leader may blend two or more of the above styles or utilise different leadership styles in different professional contexts for optimum results. 

Leadership roles in the healthcare industry 

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in healthcare or clinical leadership, but aren’t sure which niche to explore, take a look here for information about the sorts of roles available in this field. 

Healthcare management and administration

This role involves overseeing the operations of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals or clinics, to ensure they run efficiently and effectively. Day to day tasks could include managing budgets, coordinating with department heads, implementing policies and improving overall patient care.

Clinical leadership

Clinical leadership focuses on leading teams of healthcare professionals to improve patient care. Leaders in this role are often involved day to day in designing care pathways, mentoring clinical staff, introducing data and evidence-based practices, and ultimately ensuring that high-quality care standards are met across the wide ranging healthcare services. 

Policy and commissioning leadership

This role focuses on developing healthcare policies and overseeing the allocation of resources to meet demands. Day to day tasks for those employed in these sorts of roles could include working on healthcare programmes, setting healthcare standards and ensuring that healthcare services align with government healthcare regulations.

Leadership with professional and regulatory bodies

This type of healthcare leadership involves working with organisations that govern healthcare standards and practices, such as medical boards or accreditation bodies. Day to day tasks in this field could involve aiding implementation of regulatory requirements, conducting audits of existing practices, and representing the regulatory body in any discussions with external parties. 

How an MSc Healthcare Leadership can help health or social care professionals progress their careers 

An MSc in Healthcare Leadership will give you the skills needed to take control of the trajectory of your career, especially if you are currently a health or social care professional wanting to progress.

Leadership in healthcare is more important than ever, and an increasing number of employers in the medical field are recognising the importance of equipping their teams with proficient leaders and managers. 
 
The University of Hull's MSc in Healthcare Leaderhip is 100% online and part time, meaning that you can work your studies around your existing commitments, and strike the perfect work/life balance: