It is not easy to find a career path in the healthcare industry. The field of healthcare administration offers many opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing a career in this sector. It is an exciting and fulfilling career that offers many benefits to those who are responsible for overseeing all aspects of healthcare, including insurance, finance, business management, medical ethics, and law.

In the United States, more than 1 million people are employed as healthcare administration professionals, and this number is expected to grow by about 20% over the next 10 years.

This article will outline how you can get into Healthcare Administration and what it takes to be successful in this profession. It will cover topics such as types of positions available, salary expectations, education requirements, skills needed for success, and tips for starting out on your career path.

1. What is Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration is the study of how hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations are run. Healthcare administration is a field of study that prepares students for administrative careers in the field of healthcare. It covers a wide range of topics, from medical terminology to health insurance to medical law and ethics. Healthcare administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They may also be responsible for developing policies and procedures, overseeing budgets, and hiring and training staff.

2. The Education and Training Required for a Career in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administration is a fast-growing and lucrative profession. It’s also one of the most competitive fields to break into, with few jobs and many qualified candidates vying for them.

It may seem like an impossible dream, but it’s possible if you put in the work necessary to get there. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited school of higher education, followed by at least two years of experience working in healthcare administration.

In addition to this basic requirement, some employers will require additional undergraduate coursework before they offer a position; others may only accept those who have completed graduate-level classes or programs. Some positions require licensure or certification as well as board certification, which you’ll need to get before you start pursuing the career.

3. Typical Duties of a Health Care Administrator

The many responsibilities that a healthcare administrator has regard quality improvement, patient satisfaction, regulatory compliance, financial planning for facility improvement, recruiting staff, and community outreach.

One of the most important tasks that a health care administrator is responsible for is managing health care outcomes. The concern about whether patients are getting better after receiving treatment has been carefully analyzed by many healthcare administrators around the world.

Below are some of the typical responsibilities that a health care administrator has

• Performing site visits
• Providing guidance on policies and procedures to staff
• Preparing budgets, reports, documents for presentation
• Updating equipment in the facility
• Promoting the health care organization
• Evaluating services, staff, and programs
• Appraising effects of treatments on patients
• Making recommendations about financial investments
• Analyzing data to determine if the facility is being funded adequately or whether further research is necessary.

4. Salary Expectations and Growth Potential for Health Care Administrators

Health care administrators (HCA) play a crucial role in the medical field. They provide administrative support for physicians and other health care providers, help manage facilities and staff, and oversee budgets. It’s not surprising that HCA salaries can be quite high. According to payscale.com data from 2016, the median salary for an HCA is $93,000 per year ($46.73 per hour). Health care administration careers also offer many opportunities for advancement; The good news doesn’t stop there: with the right degree or certification, you could find yourself earning more than $100k annually within just a few years of starting your career!

5. Top Colleges for Healthcare Administration Education

When it comes to healthcare administration education, there are many different paths you can take. You can get a bachelor’s degree in health administration, or you could pursue a graduate degree in public health or healthcare management. Some colleges also offer certificate programs in healthcare administration.

No matter which route you choose, it’s important to make sure the school you attend is accredited. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is the accreditation body for healthcare management education programs in the United States.

Here are some of the best schools you can choose from to pursue Healthcare Administration Education

• Cornell University

Cornell University is a world-class institution, and as such, it offers education in healthcare administration. The School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions at Cornell University offer an online Healthcare Administration Certificate Program. With this degree, you can gain the knowledge necessary to take on positions that require strong managerial skills and training in ethics and law.

• Texas State University

Texas State University is a public research university that has been in operation since 1899. They have Gail A. Anderson School of Management with a specialization in Healthcare Administration. The school is designed to prepare students for the CPA and CMA exams and provides education in healthcare administration, law, and ethics.

• The University of Texas-Arlington

The University of Texas-Arlington offers a healthcare administration degree that is designed to prepare students for a career in this field. The program provides education in business management, medical ethics, and law, which are essential for those who wish to work in healthcare administration.

• The University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina offers a program in Healthcare Administration that will take students through all of the details of running a healthcare organization. The program is unique in that it focuses on the actual management skills necessary to run healthcare organizations, not just theory.

• The University of Pittsburgh

Pitt is a public research university with schools of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Medicine, and Nursing. It is the 17th-oldest institution in the United States.

• Penn State University

Penn State University’s world-class faculty, rigorous curriculum, and applied learning opportunities have made the College of Health and Human Development an exceptional choice for students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration. The college offers undergraduate majors in health care management, social work with a specialization in health care administration, aging studies with a specialization in gerontology, or clinical psychology with a specialization in mental health. It also offers graduate degrees, including master’s degree programs that are offered online as well as at both Penn State campuses, East and West.

• The University of Florida

The University of Florida offers a top-rated healthcare administration education. This degree is designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities in the field of health care. The program prepares graduates with skills needed to become leaders within a variety of areas, including insurance, finance, medical ethics, and law, as well as business management.

• The University of Illinois

The University of Illinois offers a healthcare administration education that is both rigorous and relevant. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in this field. It offers a variety of courses that cover all aspects of healthcare administration, including insurance, finance, business management, medical ethics, and law. Students also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by completing an internship.

• Rutgers University

Rutgers University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration. It also prepares students for careers outside the healthcare field, such as banking or marketing. Rutgers University’s BSHA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

• The University of Southern California

USC Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Science degree in health care administration. Graduates of this program are able to select a vast range of careers. They can choose from positions as CFOs, CEOs, or general managers of hospitals and medical centers. Continuing education courses are available for those who would like to specialize in certain aspects of healthcare management, such as ethics, law, or finance.

6. Is Healthcare Administration a Good Career Choice?

Yes. It is not difficult to see why health care administration is a good career choice for many professionals. Here are some reasons why:

• Health care administration careers offer a steady and secure future.
• It has been projected that the healthcare administration field will continue to grow for many years to come.
• Many hospitals are expanding, and healthcare needs are rising due to an ever-increasing older population.  As a result of these factors, demand for health care administrators is expected to stay strong well into the future.
• Healthcare administration offers a versatile array of career options.
• In addition to administrative positions at hospitals and other medical facilities, there are many opportunities in related areas such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, health care centers, medical billing services, government agencies – just to name a few.
• Health care administrators can specialize in an area of interest.  For instance, one can research and specialize in a particular aspect of healthcare, such as compliance or reimbursement.
• Healthcare administrators may have the opportunity to work from home.  Many positions allow you to telecommute.
• Health care administration jobs provide a supportive environment.
• As a health care administrator, you will work closely with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, as well as with administrative and technical staff.
• Working in such a supportive environment can be very rewarding.  It is also often mentally challenging and stimulating.
• Healthcare administration offers opportunities to advance within your profession.
• Many health care administrators go on to become directors of nursing or executives of healthcare organizations and corporations.

7. Career Paths in Healthcare Administration Field

One common career path for individuals interested in healthcare administration is to pursue a degree in business administration with a healthcare management concentration. After completing a degree program, many graduates choose to work as hospital administrators, medical and health services managers, or healthcare executives. Some may also find work as healthcare consultants or policy analysts.

Here are some common career paths in the healthcare administration field that you can choose from as per your interest and education:

• Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
• Medical Records Technician
• Healthcare IT Specialist
• Radiologic Technologist
• Healthcare Management Executive
• Healthcare Management Consultant
• Health Insurance Specialist and Underwriter
• Public Health Professional
• Physician Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner

8. Is It Hard to Get a Job as a Healthcare Administrator?

It is a tough job market out there, and the healthcare industry is no exception. In fact, it’s been identified as one of the industries that will have some of the most significant changes in employment over the next 10 years.

That means that competition for jobs as a healthcare administrator can be very high. But with some hard work and dedication to your career goals, you too could find yourself in an entry-level position or even climbing up on top of this industry!

9. What Skills Do You Need to Acquire to Get Success as a Healthcare Administrator?

To become a successful healthcare administrator, one will need to acquire excellent managerial and interpersonal skills as well as an understanding of the healthcare industry. Healthcare administrators often work with clinical staff members and those in charge of operations, which means that they need to be able to manage the workloads of these two essential groups. Those who want to become a successful healthcare administrators must also be skilled in negotiating and working with budgets. Healthcare administrators may also be called upon to work on balancing the interests of the patients and their families with those of the hospital administration and staff.

Take a look at the following skills one must have to be successful in the healthcare administration field:

• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented
• Good writing and communications skills
• Basic computer literacy
• Excellent time management skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Health Administration or related field required
• Minimum of 3 years of health care experience preferred with a large medical facility preferred
• Prior management/supervisory experience desired
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Possess a high energy, enthusiasm, and pleasant personality

10. Do Healthcare Administrators Work?

The healthcare industry is a booming field with opportunities for all levels of education and experience. Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and insurance companies, to name a few.

Healthcare administration is one of the most diverse professions because it requires people with many different backgrounds, such as lawyers, accountants, or nurses, which can lead to many rewarding career paths!

Here we have mentioned some places where you can find work as a Healthcare administrator:

• Hospital
• Clinic
• Urgent Care Office
• Medical Group
• Public Health Department
• Wellness Center

Conclusion:

The healthcare administration career path can be a rewarding one. You’ll have the opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives, which is something that doesn’t come around often in this day and age. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about some of the different aspects of careers in healthcare administration! Thanks for reading our article! Best of Luck!