While they may not perform surgery or work directly with patients, health administrators may be the unsung heroes of the healthcare industry. Their business savvy, policy expertise and management skills empower them to lead other healthcare professionals from behind the scenes. From orchestrating patient care to overseeing population health programs, health administrators ensure that their organizations and facilities run efficiently and that medical teams are cared for and well-resourced.
Considering getting a degree in healthcare administration but unsure of your career options after graduation? Wondering if it’s worth it to invest in your education? Keep reading to discover what a future as a healthcare professional can hold, including employment growth, earning potential, essential skills and a rewarding career.
A career in healthcare administration offers stable employment and plenty of opportunities for professional advancement in this evolving field. Over the next decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to increase by 29%, more than seven times faster than the average employment growth rate of all jobs. This means about 61,400 health administration and management positions will open each year.
Along with the stable employment outlook, healthcare administration careers offer the opportunity to leave an impact. As Dr Elaine Bird Purdy, Director of the Master of Healthcare Administration at ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ, says, “Healthcare is evolving at a rapid pace, and opportunities for a career as a healthcare professional are abundant. Now is the time you can make a difference in molding the new era of healthcare delivery, increasing access, decreasing cost and building high-quality care systems for the future.
Healthcare administrators’ income can depend on a variety of factors. An individual’s level of education and experience, state of employment and the type of facility or medical sector all play a role in determining their salary.
On average, health service management professionals make each year. However, their earnings can extend up to $216,750. According to BLS reports, those working in hospitals and the government sector tend to have higher annual incomes.
Health administrators embody a unique blend of technical expertise and well-developed soft skills. This allows them to take a strategic approach to decision-making while also fostering a supportive environment where medical professionals can thrive.
While there are specialized skills and niche knowledge that differ based on the sector, the following are baseline competencies that every healthcare manager should possess:
Robust management skills that empower them to lead teams, problem-solve and ensure smooth operations
Financial acumen so they can draw up budgets, allocate resources and plan ahead to maintain financial stability
Clear and effective communication, including written and verbal communication skills for interacting with medical staff, executives and policymakers
Extensive knowledge of healthcare laws, policies and compliance requirements
Technical competencies so they can routinely work with electronic medical records (EMRs), data analytics, and healthcare IT systems
Strong problem-solving skills, which help them to analyze complex healthcare challenges and implement effective solutions
The ability to remain organized and productive in high-pressure, fast-paced situations
Hospital administrators handle the day-to-day operations of hospitals, which means their responsibilities range from human resources to financial management to public relations. They oversee their organization’s finances, maintain regulatory compliance, collaborate with internal departments and ensure that their hospital forges partnerships within the community. Additionally, they work closely with the medical staff, managing hiring personnel, scheduling, resolving interpersonal conflicts and more.
As the nation’s population ages and needs specialized long-term care, nursing home administrators are essential to the success and effectiveness of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and rehab centers. Their duties include keeping their facilities compliant with all state and federal regulations, implementing quality control measures, monitoring billing and collections, and handling insurance and Medicare or Medicaid issues.
In addition to these operational tasks, they attend to their residents’ needs, ensuring they receive the required medical care and services and enjoy their time at the facility. Depending on your state, you may need professional licensure for this line of work.
Technology is only increasing in importance in healthcare, and health information managers play an essential role in organizing, maintaining and protecting patients' medical information and health records. Their robust knowledge of EMR systems enables their work to comply with health information privacy laws, analyze patient data and maintain well-organized medical coding for insurance and billing.
Health information managers have recently begun incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to improve organizational efficiency and patient outcomes.
Clinical managers oversee smaller departments within healthcare organizations, such as radiology, pediatrics, emergency medicine and more. Like hospital administrators, clinical managers have a broad scope of duties but on a smaller scale. Their work includes managing staff, developing departmental protocols to boost productivity and enhance patient outcomes and resolving complex patient cases. They also take care of essential administrative tasks, including record-keeping, strategic planning and reporting on the department’s performance.
Like other businesses and organizations, healthcare facilities need competent human resources managers to create an inclusive environment where employees can thrive. Informed by their vast understanding of the healthcare field and business strategies, health HR managers oversee hiring for medical and non-medical staff, developing HR
policies and procedures to create equitable workspaces, upholding HIPAA compliance, and more.
Quality performance directors play a vital role in the healthcare field, overseeing the quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives within a health organization.
They are responsible for continuously improving patient care, from developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensuring high standards of safety and compliance. Relying heavily on their analytical skills, they interpret healthcare data and identify areas for advancement, champion improvement projects, and promote a culture of quality enhancement.
Also, quality performance directors often work closely with other clinical staff, administrators, and external agencies to make sure their organization maintains accreditation standards and delivers safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ (FranU) helps you find your purpose and equips you with a well-developed skill set to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field and your community.
If you’re looking into degree programs at the undergraduate or graduate level, FranU offers an Online BBA in Health Administration and an Online Master of Health Administration (MHA). Both programs deliver flexible, 100% online learning formats without compromising the quality of your education. You explore the intersection of business and health services and gain real-world experience serving in healthcare organizations alongside dedicated professionals.
Play an integral role in meeting the healthcare needs of your community. Learn more about how FranU can help you jump-start your health administration career.
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