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A GUIDE TO CAREERS IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Exploring Growth, Salaries and Career Paths for Healthcare Administration Students and Professionals Public health professionals focus on the health of individuals, families and communities. They do this by analyzing and developing healthcare programs with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. Health administration professionals work to administer, lead and manage healthcare systems, such as hospitals, hospital networks or large healthcare systems. These dedicated individuals work closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. They also administer programs that teach healthy lifestyle habits and prevention of disease and illness, in the hopes of promoting a healthier overall community. This guide is designed for those who are interested in a career in health administration. What skills are necessary to make the grade? What kind of salary is typically offered to a health administrator? Where are the best places to work? What will be expected of day-to-day life on the job? We answer all these questions and more in this comprehensive, in-depth guide. Being a Health Administrator The day-to-day work of a health administrator varies by the organization for which they work, but the essential core of the job remains the same: Health administrators are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of a hospital, hospital system or healthcare organization. Job duties may include the following: Wide-range planning and coordination and implementation of medical and health services Deep understanding of healthcare policy and laws, as well as current and upcoming issues that require administrators to stay ahead of the curve Attending and contributing to high-level meetings with investors or governing boards Supervising assistant administrators Keeping open communication with medical staff and heads of departments Working to improve overall efficiency and financial effectiveness Paying attention to smaller details such as staff scheduling, hiring and salary issues, patient fees and billing, and even keeping records of supplies. A health administrator might work for an enormous health company or hospital system, overseeing several facilities at once. Or they might work on a smaller scale, such as managing a group of medical practices, a particular department in a hospital system, or a single medical practice. The bachelor’s degree in health administration or a closely related field is typically minimum requirement for entry level positions. However, it is important to note that those who hold a bachelor’s degree might not be qualified for higher positions, and thus their chances for advancement could be limited. A master’s degree in health administration is a more common educational path for those who wish to reach upper management, and can open doors to positions with much more responsibility. Some choose to earn their doctorate in a management-related field in order to reach for even higher levels of employment in the healthcare system. Regardless of the degree level, most employers prefer to hire someone who has a strong background of experience in administration in a healthcare setting, or those with specialized experience in one particular area of healthcare. The US Department of Labor reports a bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education requirement for those aspiring to work as managers in the medical and health services field. A Master of Healthcare Administration combined with additional experience is often required for promotion to more advanced positions. Healthcare administration degrees are issued starting at the two-year associate’s level. A Bachelor of Healthcare Administration (BHA) and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) are the most common levels of education in this field, and those credentials are offered at colleges and universities throughout the nation. Some additionally offer doctoral-level studies in healthcare administration. Common prerequisites for healthcare administration degree programs are what one might expect for a field where written and verbal communication are important for directing, planning, and coordinating the business activities of healthcare providers: Healthcare administration degrees are conveniently stackable. The knowledge from a BHA can encompass what it takes to manage an entire department or unit of a hospital. An MHA adds on to that with depth that can give professionals the tools they need to manage an entire hospital, rather than just one unit. Incremental career advancements can coincide with incremental higher degree levels, and the material in each successive degree program is cumulative. It’s a great time right now to start down the path towards a career in healthcare administration. The US Department of Labor reports that in the decade leading up to 2033, medical and health administrator jobs are projected to grow by 29% – much faster than average. What does your day-to-day role entail? As CEO, I need to balance priorities of our many employees and programs with the priorities and abilities of the organization as a whole. This entails one-on-one meetings, internal group meetings, meetings or conversations with local health and human services providers (hospitals, office on aging, community coalition) as well as regional and state agencies and programs. I see my role as one that should be helping the many mission-driven employees get to our shared vision by removing the obstacles in the way of that success. The days are long, the work is never done, but there are always opportunities to improve what we do to benefit those we serve. #J-18808-Ljbffr Public Health Online

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