As a Supervisor in Health Care Administration, you will lead and manage a team providing essential administrative support to health care operations within Department of National Defence facilities. You will be responsible for overseeing scheduling, patient records management, billing, and other administrative functions that keep health care services running smoothly. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced health care environment.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include supervising staff performance, ensuring compliance with health care regulations and DND policies, managing budgets and resources, and serving as a liaison between clinical staff and administrative departments. You will handle confidential health information, coordinate with multiple teams, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency. Your work directly impacts the quality of care provided to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families.
You will work in a professional health care setting, which may include military clinics, hospitals, or health care centres across Canada or internationally. The role involves standard office hours, though some flexibility may be required to meet operational needs. You will interact regularly with health care professionals, administrative staff, military personnel, and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily health care administration operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Organizational skills, Written and oral communication, MS Office proficiency, Time management, Attention to detail, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a secondary school diploma (high school) and several years of progressively responsible experience in health care administration, office management, or a related administrative field. Many candidates hold a diploma or degree in health care administration, medical office administration, or business administration, which can accelerate your progression.
Professional certifications such as Certified Medical Administrator (CMA) or Certified Health Care Administrator (CHCA) are valued and may be required depending on the specific posting. The DND and Government of Canada support ongoing professional development through training programs, workshops, and courses in health care management, leadership, and regulatory compliance. You may also pursue certifications in electronic health records (EHR) systems, project management, or advanced supervisory skills. Many positions offer tuition assistance for relevant post-secondary programs or professional designations that support career advancement.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The primary route is through open competition for Supervisor positions advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank and DND careers website. These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and typically require submission of an application and participation in selection processes such as written exams and interviews.
If you are already working in the Public Service in an administrative or health care support role, you may be eligible to apply for internal competitions or lateral moves to supervisory positions. The DND also accepts applications from candidates in pools established through previous recruitment campaigns. Some individuals progress into this role after working as Health Care Administration staff, gaining the experience and skills necessary for supervision. Student or early-career programs in the Public Service can also provide pathways to supervisory positions over time. Your relevant education, certifications, and experience in health care or administrative fields will strengthen your candidacy.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are often available for Supervisor - Health Care Administration positions, depending on operational requirements and the specific DND facility. Many health care administrative functions can be performed on a flexible schedule, and some supervisors work compressed work weeks or reduced hours. Remote work options have expanded across the federal government and may be available for certain administrative duties, though supervisory responsibilities typically require some on-site presence to manage staff effectively.
Arrangements for flexible work, part-time positions, or job sharing are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with your manager and must align with health care operational needs. If flexible work is important to you, this should be discussed during the recruitment process and as part of your employment agreement. The DND is committed to work-life balance and supporting various work arrangements where operationally feasible.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
