There are many reasons to pursue a degree in healthcare management. Outside of the desire to work in the fast-paced and rapidly evolving healthcare industry, many are attracted to a career in management because of leadership opportunities, job flexibility, and high salaries. In fact, the healthcare management field is so attractive that currently, more than 429,000 people are employed in healthcare management occupations in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Show
Another attractive feature of healthcare management is that the day-to-day responsibilities are not limited to the four walls of an office. While part of the job relies on desk work and administrative tasks, healthcare managers are usually on their feet, walking the halls of their site, meeting with people, talking to patients, and looking for ways to improve all aspects of healthcare. Healthcare managers do spend time budgeting, planning, and scheduling, but the majority of their work includes overseeing employees and strategizing about how to more smoothly operate all components of a healthcare organization, whether a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or doctor’s office. While a healthcare manager’s daily responsibilities can vary depending on the type of job, there are several common traits of successful professionals in this field, including being analytical and detail-oriented. This field provides business-oriented professionals with the opportunity to get involved in healthcare from a management perspective. Crucial expertise for this job includes strong communication skills, natural leadership ability, and a keen capacity to listen. Featured Healthcare Management Bachelor’s ProgramMost professionals enter this field with a bachelor’s degree, and there are many different types of healthcare management degrees available both online and on-campus. For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor’s of science (BS) degree in healthcare administration. Students will learn about the healthcare industry’s business, ethics, quality management, and technology components. Required coursework includes classes such as healthcare finance, principles of epidemiology, and healthcare delivery systems. The University of Arizona Global Campus also offers an online bachelor’s in healthcare administration. This program can be completed in as little as two years if students have transfer credits from other accredited institutions. Students can even earn credits for work of life experience with a Prior Learning Assessment. Classes are offered in an intensive five-week format and students only take one class at a time. Admission to this program is relatively easy as there are no standardized test scores required. Students interested in enrolling in a reputable program should ensure the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) has accredited the programs they are considering. Accreditation assures students and potential employers that the program has met minimum quality standards in curriculum, faculty, and facilities. The CAHME offers a searchable database of CAHME-accredited programs in the U.S. Additionally, various groups, such as the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, provide networking and membership opportunities for those interested in furthering their healthcare management careers, from prospective and current students to young and seasoned working professionals. Career Options With A Bachelor’s Degree in Health ManagementA variety of career options exist for graduates of undergraduate degree programs in healthcare management. Below, readers can explore potential career tracks and learn about some of the tasks and responsibilities of these jobs. Become a Medical and Health Services ManagerThis career has a lot of growth potential, and opportunities as successful medical and health services managers have both a big-picture and detailed understanding of healthcare organizations’ happenings. They create objectives and goals for various departments and inspire people to work toward them. Leadership is an essential requirement for this job, as are organization and strategy. On any day, a medical and health services manager might be involved in creating work schedules, hiring and training staff, or overseeing the finances of a facility. According to the BLS (May 2021), the average salary for medical and health services managers is $119,840. Become a Medical Records AdministratorThis profession focuses on the critical role of protecting patient health information. Medical records administrators implement reliable healthcare records management systems that keep data secure. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are an essential component of the job, offering a systematized collection of structured and unstructured data on individual patients, like doctors’ notes, medical histories, lab tests, allergies and immunizations, insurance, and even billing information. Medical records administrators must ensure that all of the required fields in an EMR are complete and that the medical staff is efficiently using them. In fact, EMRs are now such an essential part of the industry that organizations that receive Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement are required by law to keep track of information using EMRs. Salary data website PayScale (2022) notes that the average salary for a medical records administrator is $51,477. Become a Healthcare Office ManagerThe title of this position may make it seem like this is a standard job, but an office manager at a healthcare facility has many opportunities to show initiative and to improve in-office processes. These professionals take care of all kinds of obstacles at the workplace, from scheduling office equipment maintenance to ensuring new patients feel welcomed and supported. Of course, a healthcare office manager’s primary responsibilities are to manage all record-keeping, patient inflow and outflow, and staff efficiency—all in a day’s work. The median salary for a healthcare office manager, according to Payscale (2022), is $59.012. Become a Healthcare Financial ManagerSomeone who loves numbers and healthcare could do well in healthcare financial management. In this job, professionals prepare financial statements, review financial reports, and even make forecasts about upcoming expenses. Financial managers also examine ways to cut costs and the best ways to make changes in expenditures without affecting quality care. They should know how to use software for accounting, financial analysis, and business intelligence, and they may also oversee a team of workers, including those involved in billing, cash payments, and accounting. Who knew computing could be such an essential part of a healthcare career? The BLS (May 2021) reports an average salary for financial managers of $153,460. Become a Healthcare ConsultantHealthcare consultants have various roles, such as helping companies develop lower-cost operating models and making plans to adapt to changes in the marketplace. They may focus on product improvement and innovation areas or assist with adopting new tools and technologies in the office. Healthcare consultants may even help with things like the development of mobile apps, the use of digital health tools, and the implementation of effective IT systems and solutions. Additionally, in the case of mergers and acquisitions, healthcare consultants could develop leverage strategies that create value for both patients and stockholders. According to PayScale (2022), the average pay for healthcare consultants is $79,593 annually. Additional Certifications in Healthcare ManagementMany healthcare management professionals choose to complement their undergraduate degrees with a master’s or an advanced certification. Whether a few years following an undergraduate degree or a few decades, there is always the option to pursue a graduate-level healthcare management degree, such as a master of health administration (MHA). There are also more business-oriented graduate options, such as an MBA degree with a focus in healthcare administration or a Master in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in healthcare administration. Some of these degrees are available entirely online. A master’s degree can help professionals move upward to higher levels of management, such as medical and health services managers. Since most medical and health services managers only have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree could also be a way for individuals to differentiate themselves in interviews and job applications. Outside of graduate degrees, there are continuing education programs and other alternatives. There are many certifications available in healthcare management. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers at least half a dozen options and recommends certification as a way for individuals to increase their earning potential, have more opportunities for career advancement, and gain better job mobility. Several of AHIMA’s certifications are described below.
The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) also offers certification in healthcare management. The two certifications available through this organization are:
The American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM) offers certifications that are less focused on technology and geared more broadly towards healthcare management skills. Several of AAHAM’s certifications are described below.
Finally, certification also is available through the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA). The ACHCA lists personal satisfaction, commitment to the public, and employer recognition as reasons for obtaining a certification. The two certifications offered by the organization are described below.
In some states, certification may be necessary for licensing, but licensing is typically only required for healthcare managers interested in becoming an administrator of a nursing home, residential-care or assisted-living facility. The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) has more details about licensing requirements listed state-by-state, as does this site’s guide to becoming a licensed nursing home administrator. Kimmy GustafsonWriter Kimmy Gustafson is a freelance writer with a passion for sharing stories of bravery. Her love for world-traveling began when her family moved to Spain when she was six and since then, she has lived overseas extensively, visited six continents, and traveled to over 25 countries. She is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French. When not writing or parenting she can be found kiteboarding, hiking, or cooking. Is health management a good career?Competitive salary.
The top 10% of healthcare managers earned more than $189,000 per year, while the lowest 10% earned around $58,000 per year. This salary level will directly rely on your education and years of experience, making a degree in healthcare management extremely valuable.
What is the job of a healthcare management?Medical and health services managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They may manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians.
What is the highest position in healthcare management?The Top Five Healthcare Management Jobs. Hospital CEO. The chief executive officer of a hospital has a considerable amount of responsibility and needs a broad range of skill sets to match. ... . Hospital/Healthcare CFO. ... . Hospital/Healthcare Administrator. ... . Pharmaceutical Product Manager. ... . Medical Practice Manager.. What business can I start with a healthcare management degree?18 health care business ideas to consider. Medical transcription services. ... . Medical records management. ... . Physical/occupational therapy center. ... . Develop a health care app. ... . Diabetic care center. ... . Home health care service. ... . Medical foot care. ... . Drug treatment/rehabilitation center.. |