The Perspective of Nurses Concerning the Characteristics and Competencies of a Change Manager in Healthcare System

Introduction: Nowadays “change” in all aspects of human's life and organizations is rapidly increasing. By knowing the characteristics of change managers as the main pillars of change in healthcare organizations we can implement effective changes in healthcare systems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and competencies of change managers in healthcare system. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on nurses in educational hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2016. In this study 280 nurses entered the study based on stratified random sampling. To collect data, a valid and reliable questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed using cluster analysis by SPSS software version 16.  Result: The highest mean score regarding the characteristics of a change manager was related to "evaluation system and feedback" (9.22 ± 1.17), and "counselor and guider" in the process of change (9.31 ± 1.10). Conversely, "creating an amicable atmosphere in the workplace" (7.35 ± 2.45) and "thinking to reduce resistance" (8.04 ± 1.07) achieved the lowest scores. Totally, 4 roles as futurist and planner; coordinator and information provider; facilitator; and strategist were identified for a change manager in healthcare system. Conclusion: Characteristics such as futurist, information provider, facilitator and strategist are the main traits of a change manager. Emphasizing these characteristics and making managers ready in this regard can enhance their performance in the process of change and makes the change easier.