What healthcare facility managers actually do (and how to become one)

Someone just walked past your desk to mention the operating room’s temperature feels off. Before you can investigate, you get a call about a Joint Commission surveyor arriving unannounced. Your phone buzzes with a contractor asking about next month’s HVAC maintenance schedule. Then, security sends an email asking why the new access control system flagged three doors overnight.
Being a health facility manager is far from easy.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know to become a healthcare facility manager. Whether you are considering the field as a career path or are already working within the field and wish to move forward, this is the place to be.

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TL;DR: Healthcare facility managers keep hospitals and medical facilities safe, compliant, and operational 24/7. They oversee building systems like HVAC, power, medical gases, and security while managing regulatory compliance, budgets, emergency preparedness, and multidisciplinary teams. Most enter the field with a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience, then advance through certifications like the CHFM. Salaries are competitive (median ~$104K in the U.S.), demand is steady, and technology is rapidly transforming how healthcare facilities are managed.

What is a facility manager in healthcare?

A healthcare facility manager (HFM) oversees the physical environment of medical facilities, ensuring buildings, systems, and infrastructure support patient care and staff operations. The role goes far beyond maintenance and repairs.

These professionals coordinate with clinical staff, administrators, contractors, and regulatory bodies to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant environments. When a surgeon needs an operating room ready, when a power outage threatens patient care, or when a regulatory inspection arrives, the facility manager makes sure everything works.

Healthcare facility managers also navigate complex regulations from multiple agencies including OSHA, the Joint Commission, CMS, and local health departments. They manage infection control protocols, medical gas systems, and specialized equipment that general facility managers never encounter.

How does a typical day of a health facility manager look like?

Facility managers start their days reviewing overnight reports, checking building management systems, and addressing any urgent issues that arose during off-hours. Next up is walking the grounds, as daily operations require constant attention to building systems and environments.

They walk through facilities regularly, observing conditions, talking with staff, and identifying potential problems before they become critical. They review work orders, prioritize maintenance requests, and ensure their teams address issues promptly.

Strategic planning occupies a significant portion of the role. They develop long-term maintenance plans, budget forecasts, and capital improvement projects. They analyze building performance data to identify efficiency opportunities and predict equipment replacement needs.

Problem-solving defines much of the day. When an operating room’s temperature controls malfunction before a scheduled surgery, the facility manager mobilizes technicians to fix the issue immediately. When regulatory surveyors arrive unannounced, they guide them through the facility and provide the requested documentation.

The role demands both technical expertise and soft skills. Understanding complex building systems, interpreting technical drawings, and evaluating engineering solutions form the technical foundation. Leadership abilities, communication skills, and emotional intelligence help manage teams and influence stakeholders.

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What are health facility managers’ responsibilities?

Safety and compliance

Facility managers guarantee that buildings adhere to Joint Commission standards while meeting local, state, and federal requirements. This entails maintaining fire safety systems, carrying out routine safety inspections, making sure that emergency exits and signage are appropriate, and working with infection control teams.

Hospitals have an average energy intensity 2.75 times greater than typical commercial facilities, requiring constant attention to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. Facility managers develop preventive maintenance schedules, respond to emergency repairs, and manage building automation systems.

Budget allocation

Facility managers are required to allocate resources strategically across maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and capital projects. They track spending against budgets, and find cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or safety.

Team leadership

HFM needs to manage diverse groups, including maintenance technicians, housekeeping staff, security personnel, and contracted vendors. Facility managers hire, train, and develop their teams.

Emergency response

Emergency preparedness takes on heightened importance in healthcare settings. Facility managers develop and test disaster response plans, ensure backup power systems function properly, and coordinate with local emergency services.

According to the 2024 ASHE Hospital Operations Survey of more than 430 hospital and health system facilities managers, 80% cite aging facilities and infrastructure as their leading concern, and another 58% point to lack of funding and staff recruitment as their No. 2 challenge. These challenges make strategic planning and resource management essential skills for success.

How to become a healthcare FM

Breaking into healthcare facility management requires a combination of education, experience, and ongoing professional development.

Educational requirements typically begin with a bachelor’s degree. While facilities management or healthcare administration degrees provide direct preparation, many successful healthcare facility managers hold degrees in engineering, business administration, or other fields.

There are different ways to get into HFM. Some people start in general facility management and transition into healthcare settings. Others begin in specific trades like HVAC, electrical, or plumbing and advance into management roles. Starting positions might include facility coordinator, maintenance supervisor, or project coordinator roles. Most healthcare organizations want to see at least three to five years of relevant experience before considering candidates for facility manager roles.

But experience and formal education alone are not enough. You’ll have to pursue certifications, starting with CHFM but extending to other similar credentials as well, for example, the Facility Management Administrator (FMA) credential through the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) to demonstrate broad facility management competence.

There are several skills you’ll need to develop, spanning from technical and managerial, to interpersonal domains. Technical skills include understanding mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, reading blueprints and specifications, and using building automation systems. Managerial skills are all about budget development, project planning, and team leadership.

Networking opens doors and accelerates career development. Join ASHE and attend their annual conference to connect with healthcare facility management professionals. Participate in local chapters for regular networking and learning opportunities.

Career trajectory in healthcare facility management typically follows a progression from coordinator or supervisor roles to facility manager positions, then to director or senior director roles overseeing multiple facilities or large health systems.

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CHFM

The Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) credential represents the gold standard in healthcare facility management. Offered by the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE), which has 12,000+ members who design, build, and operate hospitals, this certification demonstrates expertise in the unique challenges of managing healthcare environments.

CHFM certification validates your knowledge across core competencies. The CHFM exam tests your knowledge on regulatory and code compliance, safety and risk management, operations and maintenance, project management, leadership and strategy, emergency management, and technology and systems.

Before attempting certification, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree plus three years of healthcare facility management experience, or an associate degree plus five years of experience, or a high school diploma plus seven years of experience.

Maintaining CHFM certification requires ongoing professional development. Certificate holders must earn continuing education credits every three years through approved activities including conferences, courses, webinars, and professional reading.

What is the salary of facility manager in hospital?

Healthcare facility manager compensation reflects the complexity and responsibility of the role. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for facilities managers was $104,690 in May 2024. Salaries vary significantly based on experience, location, facility size, and credentials. New healthcare facility management professionals typically begin in coordinator or supervisor roles with starting salaries that are modest yet sufficient for a comfortable living.

Overall employment of administrative services and facilities managers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, with about 36,400 openings projected each year. This steady growth reflects ongoing demand for skilled professionals who can manage complex healthcare environments.

Facility size and complexity also affect salary range. Managers of large hospital systems with multiple buildings and thousands of employees earn more than those managing small community hospitals or outpatient clinics.

Lastly, certifications are not only a necessity but they also boost earning potential. CHFM-certified facility managers typically earn more than non-certified peers with similar experience. The certification demonstrates expertise and commitment to the profession, making certified managers more valuable to employers.

How technology transforms healthcare facility management

Smart building technologies and data analytics reshape how healthcare facility managers operate. Modern tools provide unprecedented visibility into building performance, enable proactive maintenance, and help optimize resource utilization.

Building automation systems now integrate HVAC, lighting, security, and access control into unified platforms. These systems allow facility managers to monitor and control building environments from centralized dashboards. Real-time alerts notify them of temperature deviations, equipment malfunctions, or security issues before these problems affect patient care.

IoT sensors throughout facilities collect data on everything from room occupancy to equipment vibration. This data feeds analytics platforms that identify patterns, predict failures, and recommend optimizations. Predictive maintenance tools analyze equipment performance data to schedule repairs before failures occur.

Energy management systems help facility managers reduce consumption and costs without compromising comfort or patient care. These platforms track energy use by system and location, identify inefficiencies, and measure the impact of conservation initiatives.

Workplace platforms like Joan Workplace help healthcare facilities optimize space utilization and improve staff experiences. Digital room booking eliminates scheduling conflicts for conference rooms and collaborative spaces. Desk booking solutions support flexible work arrangements for administrative staff.

The most successful healthcare facility managers embrace technology as a tool to enhance their work rather than viewing it as a threat or burden.

Moving forward in healthcare facility management

Healthcare facility management offers a rewarding career for people who enjoy solving complex problems, working with diverse teams, and making tangible differences in how healthcare organizations operate.

The path forward starts with education and experience, but success requires ongoing professional development throughout your career. Pursue relevant certifications like CHFM that validate your expertise and open advancement opportunities. Stay current with emerging technologies, new regulations, and industry best practices through professional associations, conferences, and continuing education.

Are you already in the field and searching for a way to optimize your healthcare facility operations?

Joan Workplace provides solutions that help facility managers track space utilization, streamline room booking, and make data-driven decisions about their environments. Book a demo to see how modern workplace technology supports healthcare facility management.

Frequently asked questions about health facility managers

What degree do you need to be a healthcare facility manager?

Most healthcare facility managers hold a bachelor’s degree in facility management, healthcare administration, engineering, or business. Some positions accept associate degrees combined with significant experience, while senior roles may prefer master’s degrees. The specific degree matters less than demonstrating relevant knowledge and building progressive experience in the field.

How long does it take to become a CHFM?

The timeline depends on your starting point. You need a bachelor’s degree plus three years of healthcare facility management experience, or an associate degree plus five years, or a high school diploma plus seven years before you can take the CHFM exam. Once eligible, candidates typically spend several months preparing for the exam using ASHE study materials and practice tests.

Is healthcare facility management stressful?

Healthcare facility management involves high-stakes responsibilities with systems that must function continuously to support patient care. Facility managers handle emergency repairs, regulatory compliance, budget constraints, and aging infrastructure challenges. However, many find the work rewarding because of its direct impact on patient safety and healthcare delivery. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize help manage the demands.

What is the difference between a facility manager and a maintenance manager in healthcare?

Maintenance managers focus primarily on the day-to-day upkeep of building systems and equipment, supervising technicians who perform repairs and preventive maintenance. Facility managers oversee the entire physical environment, including maintenance, but also handle strategic planning, budget management, regulatory compliance, space utilization, vendor relationships, and emergency preparedness. Facility managers typically hold broader organizational responsibility.

Can you become a healthcare facility manager without healthcare experience?

Yes, but the transition requires intention. Many successful healthcare facility managers come from general facility management, engineering, or trades backgrounds. The key is gaining exposure to healthcare-specific regulations, building relationships within healthcare organizations, and pursuing relevant certifications like CHFM. Starting in an entry-level coordinator role at a healthcare facility provides valuable experience while you build healthcare-specific knowledge.