Summary
Manager Health Care Services (KeSCO 1342) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Management & Leadership (Cross-sector)ManagementPublic AdministrationCorporate LeadershipNGO/DevelopmentCross-sector
Description
Manager Health Care Services (KeSCO 1342) supports outcomes in the Management & Leadership (Cross-sector) sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Set goals, plans, and performance targets aligned to organisational strategy
- Develop budgets, allocate resources, and monitor utilisation
- Supervise staff: assign duties, coach performance, and conduct appraisals
- Coordinate inter-departmental work and manage stakeholder expectations
- Oversee policy implementation, governance, and compliance requirements
- Manage projects and programmes: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting
- Monitor risks, implement controls, and respond to incidents or crises
- Strengthen service delivery through process improvement and innovation
- Oversee procurement/contract management and vendor performance
- Represent the organisation in meetings, negotiations, and public engagements
- Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and accountability requirements
- Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and a results-oriented culture
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Clinical procedures within scope of practice
- Patient assessment and monitoring
- Medication administration principles
- Infection prevention and control (IPC)
- Emergency response basics (BLS/triage awareness)
- Health records and documentation
- Client education and counselling basics
- Specimen handling basics (where relevant)
- Confidentiality and ethics in care
- Team-based care coordination
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field) | Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management | Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management) | Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Pathways
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, law, economics, public administration, sector field)
- Entry through junior professional roles → supervisory roles → middle management
- Leadership and governance training (ethics, public finance, strategy, performance management)
- Continuous development (executive education, postgraduate studies, sector certifications)
Relevant courses
- Business Administration
- Accounting and Finance
- Economics
- Human Resource Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain
- Project Management fundamentals
- Marketing and Sales
- Public Administration / Governance
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) fundamentals
- Customer Service / Service Excellence
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Office-based | Meetings | Stakeholder engagement | Decision-making | Travel/field visits
Where they work
- Hospitals, clinics, health centres, NGOs and community health programmes.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possiblePublic sector leadership rolesCorporate executive rolesBoard/committee engagements possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 80,000 – 150,000
Mid level
KES 150,000 – 300,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 80,000 – 150,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 150,000 – 300,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 300,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Gain a relevant degree, build experience in the sector, move into supervisory roles and develop leadership, financial and people-management skills.
Career progression
- Assistant/Officer roles → Supervisor → Manager → Senior Manager/Director → Executive/CEO
- Possible movement into board/committee leadership and high-level advisory roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
1342-12 — Administrator Health Facility
Administrator Health Facility is responsible for monitor budgets and prepare reports maintain medical and staff records track medical and office supplies stock update patient health records, including admissions and insurance data create work schedules for staff members keep records of expenses and suggest ways to minimize costs answer queries from doctors, nurses and patients liaise with medical staff to identify efficiencies in the facility’s operations ensure compliance with current healthcare regulations within their professional field.
1342-11 — Administrator Hospital
Administrator Hospital is responsible for serve as a liaison among governing boards, medical staff, and department managers; organize, control, and coordinate services as per the hospital board regulations; oversee the development and implementation of programs and policies for patient services, quality assurance, public relations, and department activities within their professional field.
1342-18 — Hospital Matron
Hospital Matron is responsible for develop, review, update, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to the unit; manage day to day operations of the nursing unit and provide quality cost effective care for the patient population; provide supervision and strategic direction to all the members of the nursing department within their professional field.
1342-13 — Manager, Health Services
Manager, Health Services is responsible for coordinates and ensures the smooth implementation of the many moving parts that ensure that patients receive and providers administer effective care; manages daily operations of a clinic, office, or hospital department screen, interviews, and hires new employees trains new or current employees on new regulations, policies, and protocols ensures quality care for patients and their families in different units makes sure nursing units and departments are compliant and stay up to date with legal policies and laws within their professional field.
1342-14 — Medical Officer of Health
Medical Officer Of Health is responsible for provides clinical expertise to patient care and provides guidance to junior physicians; performs administrative duties and risk management; ensures the highest standards in patient care are maintained within their professional field.
1342-15 — Medical Superintendent
Medical Superintendent is responsible for directs, supervises and evaluates the activities of medical, nursing, technical, administrative, maintenance, and other personnel; monitors the use of diagnostic services, impatient and outpatient services, facilities, and staff to ensure use of resources; enhances efficiency in the standard of investigation, diagnosis treatment and management of the patients in the hospital within their professional field.
1342-16 — Nursing officer in Charge
Nursing Officer In Charge is responsible for develop, review, update, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to the unit; manage day to day operations of the nursing unit and provide quality cost effective care for the patient population; provide supervision and strategic direction to all the members of the nursing department within their professional field.
1342-17 — Nursing Services Manager
Nursing Services Manager is responsible for develop, review, update, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to the unit; manage day to day operations of the nursing unit and provide quality cost effective care for the patient population; provide supervision and strategic direction to all the members of the nursing department within their professional field.