In February, the U-LEAD with Europe Regional Office (RO) in Vinnytsia Oblast hosted an information session on the procedure for the appointment of healthcare administrators.
“Healthcare-related information events are of great demand among the representatives of municipalities. The number of participants involved as well as their activity proves this fact. This time, the issues of competition arrangements and the possibility of part-time work for the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise Administrator provoked a particularly heated discussion,” informed Vitaliy Shvets, Head of the Office.
Yaryna Turkalo, Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Adviser of the U-LEAD with Europe RO in Lviv Oblast, acquainted the participants with the competition algorithm for the position of the healthcare facility administrator, clarified the peculiarities of appointing an acting administrator, noting common mistakes in this procedure:
“The acting healthcare facility administrator is assigned to a person within the staff. According to our practice, authorities often fail in this process, ignoring the terms of such powers. I would like to emphasise that the governing body temporarily assigns acting duties to a person within the staff of the facility for a period of no longer than two months. The provision is clearly defined by the special regulations and the authorised body is not entitled to adjust it by means of the general labour legislation.”
She reminded that the competition should be announced within three days after the vacancy occurs. Within 20 days from the moment of making a decision on the competition, it is necessary to form a competition commission of 6 to 9 people. Documents of candidates for the position can be submitted within 14 to 30 days.
The expert clarified the requirements for qualifications, educational background and selection criteria for the position. In particular, according to the current legislation, a healthcare CEO is not required to hold only a medical degree. According to the tasks and knowledge required for a healthcare CEO, we expect a qualified top manager not necessarily to have exclusively a medical degree. A master’s degree in management or administration is acceptable. An applicant’s score is based on the draft development plan for the facility, their communication, leadership, and other skills.
“Municipalities frequently raise the following question: “Whether a national certificate of proficiency in the state language is required?” According to the provisions of Articles 9, 10 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language”, in case of submitting a document on complete general secondary education confirming that an applicant for the position of a healthcare facility administrator has studied Ukrainian as an academic discipline, no additional certificate is required,” the expert added.
The participants also learned about the procedure for appointing a healthcare facility administrator during martial law.
“During the period of martial law, the head of a village, settlement or town has the right to appoint and dismiss administrators of municipal enterprises, institutions and organisations without competition. A probationary period can be established,” added Yulia Tertychna, Decentralisation and Local Self-Government Adviser of the U-LEAD RO in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Speaking of part-time work and combining positions, the expert noted:
“As for the possibility for the healthcare CEO to work part-time externally — no questions asked, in their spare time. But they should avoid internal combining positions, keeping in mind the real or potential conflict of interest.”
The information session also addressed the peculiarities of establishing allowances, surcharges, bonuses for CEOs and legislative amendments related to the adoption of CMU Resolution 1221 “On the Supervisory Board of a Healthcare Facility”.