What does a Clinical Manager do?

Clinical Managers help keep healthcare facilities running efficiently. Their responsibilities may often include supervising staff, monitoring expenditures and staying informed about accreditation and regulatory changes. They can also facilitate communication between support staff and physicians, as well as between employees and patients, to encourage quality patient care.

Clinical Manager skills and qualifications

Clinical Managers typically need soft skills, leadership ability and medical knowledge to perform both patient-facing and administrative duties.

Consider including these essential skills in your Clinical or Medical Clinic Manager job description:

• Excellent verbal and written communication to convey treatment plans
• Business administration skills to develop budgets using software such as Axiom Budgeting or Sage Intacct
• Proficiency in de-escalation techniques to support patient satisfaction and comfort (e.g., de-escalating frustration caused by billing disputes or long wait times)
• Familiarity with common medical terminology, healthcare best practices and current clinical standards
• Proficiency with administrative and medical software systems, including electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth integrations

Clinical Manager experience requirements

Experience requirements for Clinical Managers vary based on the size and focus of the facility. Small clinics and new practices may accept applicants with administrative, Medical Assistant or Clinic Receptionist experience. They may also recruit internally, allowing a Receptionist or Patient Care Technician to learn on the job and advance to a managerial position.

Candidates with strong leadership potential, demonstrated by teamwork, motivational abilities or team coordination experience, may also be considered for the role.

Clinical Manager education and training requirements

Depending on the needs of the hiring facility, applicants may combine hands-on experience with a clinical management certificate instead of formal education. This role often requires transferable skills, such as multitasking, recordkeeping and collaboration.

Other candidates might have a bachelor’s degree in medical services administration or healthcare administration. Depending on local regulations, you may require that candidates have a medical license as a Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Clinical Manager job description doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider these job descriptions for related positions:

• Medical Office Manager
• Practice Manager
• Clinical Director

Clinical Manager job description FAQS

Where do Clinical Managers work?

Clinical Managers work in healthcare settings, including hospitals, urgent care clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, private practices, mental health clinics, university clinics and specialty practices.

Can Clinical Managers specialize in a particular type of medicine or facility?

Many Clinical Managers have general healthcare experience from working in hospitals, urgent care clinics and primary care settings. Some Clinical Managers focus on subspecialities such as psychiatry, dentistry or physical therapy. If you’re looking for a candidate with specific subspecialty experience, you can note that in your job description.

Is a Clinical Manager always a Registered Nurse?

Clinical Managers often have medical experience, but they’re not all Registered Nurses. Nurses who become Clinical Managers may be referred to as Clinical Nurse Managers. Having a master’s degree in nursing or being a licensed Nurse Practitioner can allow candidates to handle more specialized patient care tasks.

Are Clinical Managers and Clinical Case Managers the same thing?

Clinical Managers oversee daily operations at healthcare facilities, such as urgent care clinics or hospitals. Clinical Case Managers are typically Nurses or Social Workers who focus on patient care management, often serving as a liaison between patients and their healthcare team.