Senior Management Structure in a Community Hospital - Essay Example

"Senior Management Structure in a Community Hospital" is a smart example of a paper on the health system. 
The executives or senior management in a hospital has to face many operational and ethical issues. It is very important to have a clear job description for each executive position in the hospital. However, there are some differences between the responsibilities of an executive in a community hospital and teaching hospital.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), often referred to as an administrator, at Tampa General Hospital is responsible for reporting to the Board of Trustees. He is responsible to look after the hospital as a business concern. The role of Chief Executive Officer in Tampa General Hospital and University Community Hospital is very similar. He is not only responsible for controlling and monitoring departments but also for non-medical services, like establishing hospital policies and procedures.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) in Tampa General Hospital is responsible for daily administrative activities, like patient administration and management. He reports to the Chief Executive Officer and often called as Deputy Chief Executive. The role of Chief Operations Officer in University Community Hospital is not different as the role mainly comprises of administrative tasks.

The role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in University Community Hospital is to monitor its financial activities including but not limited to budgeting, payroll, insurance, accounting and auditing. The CFO in Tampa General Hospital has similar responsibilities along with looking after the disbursement of payroll to trainees and residents according to the policies.

A Chief Nursing Officer, or most commonly known as Chief Nurse, in Tampa General Hospital, has many responsibilities to meet adequate nursing standards. He has to report to the CEO or COO for hiring, planning and controlling of nurses. He is also responsible for nursing practices in the hospital and especially concerning patients care.

Following is a summary of the similarities and differences of the main executive position in a hospital:

Job Positions

Teaching Hospital

Community Hospital

1. Chief Executive Officer

Deal with University/ college management for educational matters

Deal with local authorities for present health issues and its policies

2. Chief Operations Officer

Assist Chief Executive Officer in daily operational and non-medical activities

Assist Chief Executive Officer in daily operational and non-medical activities

3. Chief Financial Officer

Deal with payroll matters of trainees and resident officers and responsible for following respective policies

Deal with community health expenditure like Community Spray Program Budgeting and Expenses

4. Chief Nursing Officer

Responsible for adequate nursing practices in the hospital and organizing nursing staff

Responsible for adequate nursing practices in the hospital and organizing nursing staff