Health care administration careers provide an ideal option for individuals interested in working within the medical industry without direct patient interaction. Health care administrators manage all nonclinical business aspects of a facility such as budgeting, staffing and marketing activities so healthcare providers can focus on their primary duties while patients enjoy safe, clean facilities.
Health care administration encompasses many different job titles, yet most of them share core responsibilities. You’ll likely encounter healthcare administrators working in hospitals, nursing homes, community clinics, physician group practices, insurance companies or manufacturing firms producing medical supplies or equipment. While specific responsibilities vary by employer each health care administration job has one common goal – improving patient care and operational efficiency.
Start Your Career in Health Care Administration With a Bachelor’s Degree! Typically, to enter health care administration requires both an undergraduate degree in a related field as well as relevant experience working in either healthcare-related organizations or within healthcare itself. Most higher-level positions require master’s degrees; after attaining their undergraduate degree students should consider applying to graduate programs specializing in public health, healthcare management or business with courses covering topics like human resources management and healthcare law.
As a health care administrator, you will need to be knowledgeable of both the industry and employer-specific policies and procedures. Furthermore, strong communication skills will be necessary in ensuring all employees understand and abide by organization-imposed standards. You must also be capable of keeping track of various data such as billing records, medical records and staffing details while devising and implementing innovative plans to strengthen and grow the company as a whole.
As a health care administrator, your career path is highly customizable to your own preferences and medical setting in which you wish to work. Travel may be necessary as most hospitals and other healthcare facilities operate 24 hours per day; most managers typically work 40-hour weeks; however they may need to respond urgently if emergencies arise or other matters require attention immediately.
Healthcare administration may not involve direct clinical practice, but it still plays a critical role in providing patients with quality medical services. By having access to quality training and knowledge in healthcare administration, you can ensure medical facilities are safe, efficient and effective – something the American College of Healthcare Executives calls “hidden career”. Healthcare Administration makes a tremendous difference to accessibility and quality healthcare across our communities!