Importance of Leadership Structure Within a Health Care Organization, Essay Example

Introduction 

Appropriate Leadership structures are extremely critical within a health care organization because these are the institutions that are entrusted with the lives of people. Godwyn & Gittell, (2011). Have documented that, the functioning of these institutions must be precise and executed services must be of extremely high quality at all times. Such requirements are very critical and therefore, consideration of organization structures is imperative. The most appropriate leadership structure in this respect is vertical organization structure because of the high number of management layers that exist is these types of organizations (Godwyn & Gittell,  2011). This is the system that exerts the required control on all levels of functioning in the institution and the staff members usually work in narrow, specific, and low-authority roles. The existence of these several layers in management play a critical role in ensuring that a single person cannot disrupt the entire system to cause significant damage and that all tasks are executed in the most correct and accurate manner.

Leadership structure

The leadership structure in an organization is a critical component in determination of harmonious progress in workflow, accountability as well as authority all working at the same time. Chen & Stout, (2014) argues that, such a system requires a vertical or hierarchical structure that is associated with a narrow center of command at the top which widens as it trickle down to the subordinate levels. For a leadership structure ion an organization to be effective and serve the intended purpose, it must take in to consideration the best structure that will facilitate in the achievement of its goals and missions (Chen & Stout, 2014)

Leadership responsibilities

There exist several crucial responsibilities of a leader in an organization. According to Casadesus-Masanell  & Tarziján, (2012), one of the most important leadership responsibilities involves setting achievable goals as a step in the achievement of strategic planning in the organization. Innovation and marketing is another vital responsibility. Continuous innovation of services and products plays a critical role in creation and retention of clients. Another important leadership responsibility involves making decision and solving problems (Casadesus-Masanell  & Tarziján, 2012). Ability to implement workable solutions and making informed decision are critical success factor in an organization. Leaders are also charged with the responsibility of setting priorities and focusing on critical tasks in the organization. This facilitates effective deployment of limited resources such as human resources and finances in a manner that they can offer maximum benefits to the organization. Leaders are also supposed to be good role model to other members of their team as a vital responsibility. Baligh, (2011) is for the opinion that, the character, attitude, personality as well as work habits especially relationship with other people are important attributes to set a good role model. Another critical responsibility for organization leaders involves persuading, motivating and inspiring other members towards achieving the set objectives as well as goals and integrates them in to the mission and vision of the organization (Baligh, 2011).  Lastly, leaders have a responsibility to encourage performance and arrive at favorable results in their place of work. This is a critical factor in the success of the organization.

Governance accountabilities

Governance accountabilities are important in ensuring careful and responsible behavior and attitudes in the course of managing organization resources. All available resources are intended at achieving a particular goal and the success of this depends on governance accountability in the organization. Governance accountability leads to efficiency in all aspects of operation in the organization.

The Chief Executives Responsibilities

The Chief Executives acts on the behalf of the board of directors to execute the decisions made concerning daily operations in the organization in order to achieve success. The Chief Executives officer is the most superior staff whose responsibility involves an oversight on all operations that take place within the institution. Avdeev & Ekmekjian, (2012) have documented existence of other positions including the chief nursing officers, the chief medical officers, the chief information officers, the chief financial officers and the chief operating officers also exist working in close relationship with the chief executive officer and making up the central core management in medical setting.

Medical staff accountabilities

Accountability is a critical virtue among medical staff as it helps in justification and taking responsibilities of individual actions including those that are intended to facilitate achievement of organization goals. According to Avdeev & Ekmekjian, (2012), accountability plays a similar role to stewardship in ensuring careful as well as responsible management of resources in the institution. The ultimate objective entails achieving the maximum level of benefits that the stakeholders can be proud of. Accountability also facilitates in enhancing efficiency as well as quality through the application of systems of performance management in addition to initiatives of quality improvement.

Leaders’ knowledge

Knowledge among leaders in the institution plays a critical role in empowering as well as educating work colleagues. This is an important source of information for care providers as they play their roles in the organization towards improvements of quality of care for the patients and increase the level of patient safety in the institution. Leaders’ knowledge is also critical in enhancing collaboration at all levels in the organization thus promoting professional behavior and culture that benefits the entire organization.

References

Avdeev, V. & Ekmekjian, E. C. (2012). The need for hybrid businesses: Examining low-profit limited liability companies and benefit corporations. The CPA Journal (August): 48-53.

Baligh, H. H. (2011). Organization Structures: Theory and Design, Analysis and Prescription. Springer.

Casadesus-Masanell, R. & Tarziján, J. (2012). When one business model isn’t enough. Harvard Business Review (January/February): 132-137.

Chen, P. H. & Stout, D. E. (2014). Preview uncovering the intricacies of master limited partnerships: A primer. Management Accounting Quarterly (Winter): 1-13.

Godwyn, M. E. & Gittell, J. H. (2011). Sociology of Organizations: Structures and Relationships. Pine Forge Press.