Build A Lasting Career In Healthcare Management

Healthcare is quickly becoming one of the most dominant industries in the United States. While doctors and nurses make up a large percentage of medical professionals, healthcare also requires skilled administrators to ensure smooth and efficient operation within a healthcare facility. Healthcare managers are the link between all healthcare practitioners within a facility as they help to organize, plan, and supervise employees.

The nature of the work for this challenging role can range from directing large clinical programs to managing daily operations. Here are some of the aspects of building a career with a Healthcare Management degree.

Medical Knowledge

While healthcare administrators are not medical practitioners, they need a firm grasp of the latest health and drug developments. These practitioners are expected to be familiar with new technologies, integrated healthcare delivery systems, and preventative care. Duties can include managing clinical operations in areas like surgery, medical records, therapy, and nursing, so managers must be very familiar with common knowledge, procedures, and practices.

At the heart of a career in healthcare management lies the need for organizational skills. Healthcare managers must demonstrate effective strategies for managing finances, admissions, personnel, operations, and resident care with precision. These duties can vary by facility, with larger institutions like hospitals requiring broader strokes as opposed to smaller operations like nursing homes.

Rapid Growth

With the aging population and the increased government regulations in healthcare, employment opportunities in healthcare greater than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers are expected to increase by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018. Likewise, the BLS also states that medical secretary opportunities should increase by 27 percent in the same time frame. This industry-wide growth has also positively affected career advancement with administrators moving into roles with greater responsibilities or on to larger healthcare facilities.

Generous Compensation

The healthcare industry is booming, which means that positions within hospital or clinical facilities often come with impressive salaries and benefits. Earnings will vary, but median annual wages for mid-level medical administrators are about $80,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though you probably won't start off at this salary, you can expect to earn around this amount as you move up the executive ladder as a healthcare manager. 

Where To Start

As a healthcare manager, you are expected to obtain at least a Bachelor’s degree in order to obtain the knowledge and experience necessary for this role. There are both online and classroom-based courses available across the country –but it’s up to you to find the right fit for you. For more information on healthcare management degrees, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/business/healthcare-management/.