There are plenty of ways to contribute to a patient’s health and well-being without becoming a doctor or a nurse. Managers, executives, and administrative professionals are all integral to the success of a hospital. And without healthcare administrators, medical facilities wouldn’t run nearly as effectively. When it comes to a rewarding career that affords you the opportunity to positively impact the lives of others, healthcare administration is an excellent choice.
Educational requirements
While there are plenty of roles for healthcare administrators that only hold a bachelor’s degree, the majority of higher-level professionals in the industry pursue their Master’s of Health Administration. Often, a combination of a bachelor’s degree and relevant healthcare experience is enough for entry-level roles and jobs in smaller facilities. However, some employers prefer candidates with medical degrees or past nursing experience.
Though the majority of certifications aren’t required for industry professionals, there are several available. For example, to work as a nursing home administrator, you’ll also need to become board-certified and obtain applicable state licenses, though these aren’t required for employment in other sectors.
If you’re looking to obtain industry experience while still pursuing post-graduate education, consider obtaining an online healthcare administration degree. These programs are often crafted with working professionals in mind, making it easier to gain the knowledge and skills required for advancement to leadership roles in the industry. Other benefits of online degrees include self-paced learning opportunities, accelerated degree paths, and lower costs. If you’re going through an accredited program, an online degree is an excellent option.
Branching career paths
The healthcare industry is one of the largest in the country, providing millions of jobs to Americans. Healthcare is only projected to keep growing year over year which means there’s a constant influx of new roles that need filling. Not only that, there’s a continuing need for management and supervision of these roles. The variety of opportunities available is nearly endless, though a majority of healthcare administrators opt to work directly alongside medical professionals in a hospital setting or doctor’s office.
Interested in working outside of a hospital? There are still plenty of roles available. There are opportunities working alongside the government in a consultation capacity, or providing your expertise and managerial know-how to insurance agencies. Additionally, there are less conventional jobs available like administrator roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, private clinic management, and home healthcare. Pursuing healthcare administration makes it easy for you to find a job that more closely aligns with your interests and expectations.
Numerous benefits
There are many benefits to healthcare administration. The decisions you make will directly impact the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people every day. That means you have real power to affect positive change in the lives of others. In fact, this dedication towards serving others is one of the biggest reasons people pursue healthcare.
On top of directly bettering the community you serve, healthcare administration roles better you as a professional. Most employers encourage continued education and learning initiatives, with many of them offering tuition assistance for specialized certifications as well as ongoing training to master new skills and technologies.
In addition, one of the biggest benefits is the average salary range. On average, first year administrators make around $65,000 which is well above the national average. On the other hand, senior administrators who have been in the industry for lengthy amounts of time frequently see six-figure salaries.
Rewarding work
From the excellent earning potential to the deep sense of community service, roles in healthcare administration provide wonderful opportunities for applicants. Healthcare administration is an in-demand industry that always needs qualified candidates, be it for medical record management roles or positions as healthcare executives. If you have a deep sense of social purpose and are prepared to dedicate yourself to a career where you directly better the lives of your colleagues and their patients, a position in healthcare administration is the perfect combination of rewarding and challenging work.
