Health care administration requires strong analytical and communication skills in addition to leadership ability and business savvy. An administrator must be able to make decisions and delegate authority, while managing all levels of medical and administrative personnel. He or she must be able to establish goals, analyze data, make evaluations, and create policy to maintain consistent standards of patient care among departments. A health care administrator must also be a good negotiator and have the ability to build relationships with government agencies, unions, and community organizations.

Health care administrators who work as nursing home administrators must also pass the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) exam and obtain state license. Health care administrators in other sectors are not required to be licensed; however, voluntary certification is available through the American College of Healthcare Administrators