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What They Do
Health Care Administration Officers provide leadership and management of health care services and delivery. They apply the principles and practices of health care administration, resource-management organization and operations for the Canadian Forces Health Service.
Their primary responsibilities are to ensure that the health care system is managed effectively, that health care professionals are able to practice in a safe and efficient environment, and that Canadian Forces members receive high-quality health care wherever they may be, in garrison or on a base or wing in Canada, or deployed on international or domestic operations.
Working Environment
Health Care Administration Officers work in either operational units such as a Field Ambulance, the Field Hospital, aeromedical staging units and area medical support units, or in static facilities such as a clinic on a base or wing. They may also be employed at regional or national headquarters, or in a training unit, and may be expected to deploy on International or Domestic operations.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Health Care Administration Officer is $51,000 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Regular promotions through the junior officer ranks take place based on the completion of required training and on the length of service as an officer. Once promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Navy) or Captain their salary is approximately $74,000 per year.
In Canada, a junior Health Care Administration is first posted to a Medical Clinic, as the assistant to a senior level officer. The senior Health Care Administration Officer is often the Commanding Officer of the clinic and responsible, among other things, for all matters concerning the budget, human resources and equipment.
After enrolment, you start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 15 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Canadian Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.
Second language training is available following basic officer training; depending on your ability in your second language, it may take from two to nine months.
Health Care Administration Officers attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, to complete a university certificate course in Health Care Management through distance learning and classroom sessions. This program provides the skills required for managing the delivery of health care services in a civilian setting. Recruits who already have this certificate, or relevant experience, may be excused from this stage of professional training.
Health Care Administration Officers then learn how to apply health care management skills in the context of the Canadian Forces and in close support of Combat Arms units in the field on operations.
Early in their career, qualified Health Care Administration Officers may be required to obtain certification as a Health Care Executive through the Canadian Council of Health Service Executives.
Health Care Administration Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses, on-the-job training, and professional conferences, including:
- Leadership
- Management
- Administration
- Instructional techniques
As they progress in their career, Health Care Administration Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Graduate degree in Health Care Administration
- Graduate degree in Health Information Systems
If you already have a university degree, the Canadian Forces will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.
Regular Officer Training Plan
Because this position requires a university degree, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to complete a Bachelor degree program at a Canadian university. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. In some instances, the Canadian Forces is able to pay for Officer Cadets to attend other Canadian universities in a relevant degree program. Officer Cadets who attend other Canadian universities typically attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the Canadian university of your choice. For more information, click on Paid University.
The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves is to provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organizations for Canadian Armed Forces operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the Canadian Armed Forces and the local community.
This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Health Care Administration Officers may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force as members of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group. They are employed to lead and manage health care services and delivery and to ensure that Canadian Armed Forces members receive high-quality health care. Those employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at a location within Canada.
Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Applicants with a university degree that matches the criteria for this job may be placed directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic officer training and qualification. Health Care Administration Officers attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario to achieve their qualification.
Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.
Find a unit in your area and start the application process for part-time employment now or send an e-mail to the following address for more information: HealthServicesReserves@forces.gc.ca.
