The Healthcare Consultant's Handbook: Career Opportunities and Best Practices

In an era of increasing complexity in healthcare, consultants can help organizations address inefficiencies, improve patient experiences, and set overall strategy. The most successful consultants do so through a lens of authenticity, recognizing that earning their clients’ trust is key to achieving their full potential in this critical role. The Healthcare Consultant’s Handbook: Career Opportunities and Best Practices offers insight into the essential role of the healthcare consultant. Author Scott A. Mason draws on more than 40 years of experience to reveal the realities of management consulting for healthcare organizations and the traits and strengths necessary for success. He looks at the common challenges healthcare consultants face and how best to overcome them. The book explores the role of the independent consultant, offers practical guidance on what to expect when working for a consulting firm, and reveals what it takes to be an exceptional consultant. Various types of consulting are identified, along with types of consulting firms—profiling several prominent companies—and strategies for determining what type of firm is the best fit. Mason also provides a detailed look at: myths surrounding healthcare consulting; the client–consultant relationship from all perspectives; unique elements of the healthcare sector that consultants often focus on; differences between healthcare consulting and general management consulting; and key lessons learned from challenging client engagements. With this book, new and prospective healthcare consultants will gain a greater understanding of the craft and practical insight into what truly makes a consultant exceptional.