Not all healthcare happens at a patient’s bedside. Some of the most important decisions are made in offices, boardrooms, and planning meetings. This is the world of healthcare administration, and if you’re interested in making hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes run better, this could be the right major for you.
But you might be wondering what kind of degree you need to get into the field. This article breaks down what the work of healthcare administration really is and what education you need to make a real impact in the field.
What is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare administration means managing the business side of medical and health services. Instead of treating patients directly, administrators handle things like budgets, staffing, legal requirements, policy development, and quality improvement efforts.
A healthcare administrator might decide how many nurses are scheduled for a shift or work with computers to keep patient records organized. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, other tasks for administrator might include:
- Analyzing and managing department finances
- Making sure the organization complies with regulation
- Meeting with investors and legislative groups
- Organizing healthcare services and patient records
- Recruiting, training, managing, and scheduling staff members
These tasks will look different depending on where you work and what degree you have, but healthcare administration remains a crucial part of hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Because of this, you can find rewarding work in the field, no matter what degree you earn.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with a Bachelor’s?
You can find several entry-level positions in healthcare administration when you have a bachelor’s degree, and many of these positions can offer advancement in the field. If you’ve just graduated with your bachelor’s degree, you can find jobs like:
- Health Information Technologist: A big part of healthcare is keeping patient records organized, and healthcare administration can help by working with computers and databases.
- Financial Manager: Hospitals and healthcare organizations are just like any other business, and they need financial managers to balance budgets and keep their numbers up.
- Medical Records Specialist: Keeping track of patients and their needs is the first step in treating them. This also makes sure that insurance companies pay for what patients need.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with a Master’s?
Having a master’s degree in healthcare administration means higher pay and better positions. If you take another two years to gain more knowledge and expertise in the field, you can find jobs like:
- Medical and Health Services Manager: Managing doctors, nurses, and services in healthcare is vital, so these positions are growing as rapidly as the healthcare industry.
- Compliance Managers: The healthcare industry has a lot of regulations to keep patients and healthcare workers safe, and compliance managers make sure those regulations are followed.
- Healthcare Consultant: The world of healthcare is constantly changing, and hospitals and clinics need consultants to help them streamline processes, boost efficiency, and support patient care.
What Kind of Jobs Can I Get with a Doctorate?
A doctorate is one of the most advanced degrees you can earn, and it offers opportunities for leadership in hospitals and other healthcare organizations. With a doctorate degree in healthcare administration, you can find positions like:
- Chief Executive: After several years of expertise and an advanced degree, you might have the opportunity to become the CEO, COO, or CFO of a healthcare organization.
- Health Services Director: This position comes with a lot of responsibility and decision making. They have a hand in every department and make sure the whole hospital or healthcare organization runs smoothly.
- Academic Professor: If you really liked your college classes and want to teach the next generation of healthcare administrators, becoming a professor is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
What’s Right for Me?
No matter what degree you earn, you have a lot of options in healthcare administration. You can choose to stick to your bachelor’s degree and work as a technologist, financial manager, or medical records specialist. Or you can move onto a master’s degree and work as a medical services manager, compliance manager, or healthcare consultant. Or, with a little more experience and more education, you could be at the top of your organization or teaching new professionals in the classroom.
Each degree offers chances for advancement and good pay, so whatever degree you decide is right for you, you can make a big impact and have a rewarding career.
Citations
Southern New Hampshire University — What Is Healthcare Administration?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Medical and Health Services Managers
My Next Move — Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
My Next Move — Financial Managers
My Next Move — Medical Records Specialists
My Next Move — Medical and Health Services Managers
My Next Move — Compliance Managers
University of Illinois Chicago — What Is Healthcare Consulting?
My Next Move — Chief Executives
Together SC — Health Services Director
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Postsecondary Teachers