Find the information you need to get a health care administration degree and start your career.
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Health care managers work to deliver health care
services smoothly and efficiently.
Health care managers are crucial to keeping the business of health care running smoothly. They plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of health care in facilities ranging from hospitals and clinics to insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, they prepare for and respond to regulatory and technological changes that impact health care delivery systems.
In large facilities, health care managers may work with several assistant administrators to direct activities in specific clinical departments such as nursing, surgery or therapy. They establish and implement policies and procedures for their departments; evaluate personnel and work; develop reports and budgets; and coordinate activities with other managers.
Some health care managers, instead of working for one specific health care service, oversee the activities of a number of facilities. This allows the health care manager to potentially interact with both inpatient and outpatient facilities and offer a wide range of patient services.
Managers in smaller facilities generally handle more of daily operational details such as personnel, finance, facility operations and resident care. The responsibilities of health care managers in managed care settings may also extend into community outreach and preventative care.
A bachelor's degree in health care management qualifies graduates for entry-level positions in health administration and possibly middle management jobs in smaller facilities. Most positions, however, including senior-level and executive roles, require a master's degree.
The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (http://www.cahmeweb.org/ ) accredits graduate level programs that offer different types of master's degrees that generally fall into two categories:
- A master's in health care administration, such as an Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or Master of Public Health (MPH).
- An MBA degree with a concentration in health care management.
Master's programs in health care administration offer highly specialized training and allow students to focus almost exclusively on health care management. Alternatively, MBA programs teach a general set of management skills and provide instruction about health care management practices through specialized elective courses.
While both a master's degree and an MBA concentration will prepare you to hold management positions, master's programs train you to become a leader in the specific field. In contrast, an MBA degree may also qualify you to hold management positions in other fields, should you become interested in a different career.
Individuals pursuing a health care administration career should have training in general management principles and practices. Additionally, knowledge and skills in accounting, finance, information systems, leadership, operations management, organizational behavior and strategic planning will greatly benefit your career.
Candidates can expand their job choices by pursuing additional education or experience in health care policy and law, managed health care, long-term care administration and health care reform. For those considering a specialized area of health care, such as nursing, work experience along with your health care administration degree will give you an edge in advancing in the field.
The qualities that push people with equal levels of education and experience into the high-level health care administration jobs are exceptional interpersonal communication, critical analysis skills, and the ability to make well-thought out, high-impact decisions. Additionally, those in high-level health care administration jobs are generally experts in diplomacy and negotiation.
The U.S. Department of Labor expects health care management employment rates to grow 18 to 26 percent between 2004 and 2014, as the health services industry expands and diversifies. Industries that employ individuals with health care administration degrees include: the federal government, hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, insurance agencies, pharmaceutical companies and home health care services.
Positions range from associate manager to assistant director to chief administrator. In the private sector, health care managers serve their positions hospitals, HMOs, health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, while those in the public sector work in health departments, academic medical centers, mental health agencies, regulatory agencies and various community-based agencies. Some health care administrators choose to work for health care management companies that provide services to hospitals and other organizations. Still others focus specifically on working with specific departments such as emergency, information management systems, managed care contract negotiations and physician recruiting.
As with any occupation, salary ranges for health care administration careers vary based on factors such as the applicant's level of experience, responsibilities required in the job, size and type of facility where employed, and location. Some examples of health care administration jobs and their respective salaries include:
- Clinic Operations Director: Responsible for the day-to-day activities and budget of a hospital's clinic operations; ensures conformance with established hospital policies and goals. Earns between $50,000 and $118,000 annually.
- Department Director: Directs the staff and programs of a specific department in a hospital or other medical facility; ensures the highest standards of quality and service; and demonstrates expertise in the field. Examples: Cardiology Directors earn between $80,000 and $140,000 annually; Radiology Directors earn between $80,000 and $125,000 annually.
- Administrator in a Physicians' Practice: Works closely with physicians to coordinate day-to-day business of the practice and develop business strategies. Earns between $50,000 and $133,000 annually, depending on the number of physicians involved.
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