There’s been an increased focus on healthcare management in recent years, and for a good reason. Health administrators oversee various activities within the healthcare system, from budgeting and operations to patient care. This is why studying health administration can be so beneficial. It gives you the skills and understanding required to manage a healthcare organization effectively.
Healthcare administration courses typically provide students with a broad understanding of the healthcare system, from its structure and operations to the laws and regulations that govern it.
You’ll also better understand the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare professionals. This will help you make well-informed decisions on managing a healthcare organization best.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, health service administrators’ job outlook is expected to grow 17% through 2029. With more people aged 65 and older, there is a greater need for healthcare administrators to manage health services and resources. This growth will also result in higher salaries and advancements in the field.
Read on to explore the potential career paths with a health administration degree. With the right skills and qualifications, you can become a leader in the healthcare industry.
Health Services Manager:
Health services managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of healthcare facilities and services. They manage budgets, staff, and resources to ensure that all operations run smoothly and efficiently. This job requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health services administration, as well as several years of experience in healthcare management.
This is such a sought-after job because it offers excellent career prospects with generous salaries. Every day there are dozens of master in health administration jobs available on job portals. And with the growing demand for healthcare services, there is plenty of room for growth.
Healthcare IT Manager:
Healthcare IT managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the use of technology in healthcare organizations. With the ongoing digitization of the healthcare sector, this is an exciting and fast-growing field. This can include digital patient records, cybersecurity, data analytics, and more. To be a successful healthcare IT manager, you need a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science or a related field and experience with healthcare and IT systems.
Clinical Manager:
Clinical managers are responsible for overseeing the clinical operations of healthcare organizations. This includes managing patient care, quality assurance, and compliance with regulatory standards. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical managers earn an average of $91,000 annually. T
o become a clinical manager, you should have at least a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or a related field and several years of experience in healthcare management. Furthermore, they should have the necessary knowledge and experience in healthcare operations, technology, and compliance. However, this job is ideal for those passionate about patient care and health education.
Health Insurance Specialist:
Health insurance specialists are responsible for managing health insurance claims and providing advice to clients. This job is popular because it offers an excellent salary and flexible working hours. It is a promising job prospect, especially with the growth of digital health platforms.
The average salary for health insurance specialists is $43,000 per year. However, you don’t need a degree in health administration to become one. But having some knowledge of the healthcare system will help you understand the industry better and have the edge over other applicants. For instance, you may need to know about coding, billing and reimbursement processes, and the healthcare system.
Pharmaceutical Manager:
Next on the list of potential career paths with a health administration degree is the pharmaceutical manager. Pharmaceutical managers are responsible for managing and monitoring drug costs and ensuring that drug inventories are adequately managed.
This job requires a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field and several years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. It is a highly competitive field that also offers opportunities for employment with pharmaceutical consulting firms. The position requires excellent healthcare industry knowledge, great communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. The median salary for a pharmaceutical manager is around $90,000 per year.
Medical Practice Manager:
Medical practice managers ensure that medical practices run smoothly and efficiently. This job requires exceptional managerial, financial, and organizational skills. It also requires a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field.
Plus, you will need some experience in the healthcare field. The median annual salary for medical practice managers is around $75,000 annually. This job allows you to help improve patient care and make a real difference in patients’ lives. Plus, it offers great job security, with plenty of room for advancement.
Health Educator:
Health educators are responsible for developing and delivering healthcare education programs to the public. They use their knowledge of health science and public health to teach people about preventive care and disease treatments. Health educators need at least a bachelor’s degree in health education or a related field. To stand out from the competition, you should have a master’s degree in health administration.
The median salary for health educators is around $52,000 a year, with the potential to earn more in higher-level positions. This is an ideal career path for those passionate about public health and helping others become healthy and knowledgeable.
Medical Records Technician:
Medical records technicians maintain, organize, and update medical records. This job requires great attention to detail and field. They must also have great organizational and communication skills.
The median salary for medical workers with large amounts of data. Most employers prefer someone with a bachelor’s degree in health administration, or a related records technician is around $39,000 a year. This job is growing rapidly due to the increasing need for electronic medical records. With a health administration degree, you can prepare for this exciting career.
Summary
The health administration degree opens up a world of career possibilities. You can choose from jobs such as health insurance specialist, pharmaceutical manager, medical practice manager, health educator, and medical records technician. Each position requires a bachelor’s degree in health administration or a related field. With proper knowledge and experience, you have the potential to earn a lucrative salary and make a real difference in people’s lives. So if you’re looking for an exciting career in the healthcare industry, a health administration degree is the perfect place to start.
