Hospital administration officers play a central role in ensuring the efficient, economical and coordinated functioning of a hospital. Their duties cover administrative, financial, personnel, clinical-support and public-service activities. The exact responsibilities vary according to the size and type of hospital, but the major duties include the following. The hospital administrator is responsible for overall administration and coordination. The officer implements policies approved by the governing body, coordinates different departments and ensures that hospital services function smoothly. They maintain communication between medical, nursing, technical and administrative departments and resolve interdepartmental problems. Planning and organization are important responsibilities. The administrator prepares operational plans, estimates requirements for manpower, equipment and facilities, and helps in developing new services. Hospital buildings, wards, outpatient departments, emergency services, diagnostic facilities and other units must be organized to ensure efficient patient care and appropriate utilization of resources. Personnel management is another major duty. Hospital administration officers participate in recruitment, placement, orientation, training, promotion and performance evaluation of employees. They maintain staff records, prepare duty schedules where appropriate, monitor attendance and help maintain discipline. They also promote