What is interim leadership in healthcare, and how can working as an interim leader benefit your career? From the basic definition to the different types of interim leadership roles, here's everything you need to know.
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FAQ: All Your Healthcare Interim Leadership Questions, Answered
What is the definition of interim leadership in healthcare? What's the purpose and benefits of interim leadership? Is it good for your career? Here's what you need to know, including where to find America's best selection of interim leader jobs.
What is interim leadership in healthcare?
In healthcare, interim leadership describes a professional who works in a temporary (i.e., fill-in) capacity as a manager, director, executive, or other position of authority and responsibility.
What purpose do interim leaders fulfill?
Interim leaders are experienced professionals hired to lead a unit, team, facility, or other group of workers or processes on a limited basis. Their purpose is to serve as a bridge during gaps in leadership or periods of change, whether because a core staff member has suddenly departed, is on sabbatical, maternity leave, or any number of any other reasons.
An interim leader could also be hired to lead a new department or unit while a permanent candidate is sourced. They're also hired during times of crisis, when specialized skills are needed for certain projects or implementations, or to provide oversight or guidance to improve teams, units, or departments.
How long do healthcare interim leadership roles last?
A healthcare interim leadership role last anywhere from a few months to two years or more, depending on the situation.
What are the different types of interim leadership roles?
There's a huge variety of clinical and non-clinical interim leadership roles, from C-suite executives to on-the-floor RN managers, and many in between.
For instance, a typical search of the HealthTrust jobsite for interim leaders shows a number of opportunities for non-clinical professionals as interim directors for facility management and sterile processing.
For clinical professionals, most employers seek interim managers and directors of emergency, surgical, and med/surg services. It’s also common to see openings for leaders in case management, laboratory, and other services, including Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) and other top-level executives.
How much do interim leadership roles pay?
Salaries for interim leaders vary widely based on experience, location, complexity, and other factors. However, they typically pay more than the average rate for a non-interim position, a figure that's already close to $200,000 at the highest end.
What are the benefits of interim leadership work?
How does does working as a healthcare interim leader affect your career? Among its many benefits, interim leadership work gives you a great chance to:
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Take important steps on the management ladder, providing high-level experience that can help you land your ultimate dream job
- Diversify, expand, and potentially supercharge your skills by accepting new challenges and responsibilities
- Expand your networking circles in a big way, including senior leaders and high-level stakeholders
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Take time off between roles to focus on other needs or goals
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Test drive different types of facilities without making a permanent commitment
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Cross over from a clinical to non-clinical career, or from inpatient to outpatient
What questions should you ask before working as an interim leader?
Because the goal is to avoid disruption, interim leaders are often expected to jump in and start immediately. And because the jobs are temporary by nature, you may need to plan your finances more carefully than with full-time work.
In addition, you should always get answers to these critical questions:
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What are the specific expectations? Will you work only as directed, with limited authority, OR make significant decisions and introduce new systems?
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How long will this role last? Is it fixed or open-ended?
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What should I expect as the position winds down? Will there be opportunities for permanent work, whether in the same role or a different one?
We're Hiring Healthcare Interim Leaders!
If you’re looking for interim leadership roles, you'll find opportunities across the U.S.A. with HealthTrust! Our interim leaders get premium pay, great benefits, housing and transportation, 401k with company match, and more. Learn more.
