Doctors and nurses are on the front lines of health care, but behind the scenes, an army of professionals work to coordinate and deliver health care services. Health care administrators supervise the various systems and functions of the health care facility under their direction, as well as manage the staff that work there. To help health care administrators build the diverse skill set they need, online health care administration degrees focus heavily on management skills, communication, accounting, health care law, ethics and more.
Careers in health care administration
Health care administrators work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, consulting firms, insurance companies, home health care organizations and more. Some health care administrators work directly with staff and patients; others choose to take research positions, executive management jobs or other work that puts them in charge of policy for a particular organization or company.
In larger facilities, health care administrators might be responsible for a particular area of a facility, such as a floor or unit. In smaller facilities, or in upper management positions, others might be expected to handle management issues for the entire facility or health system.
Health care administration education and training
Online health care administration degree programs that culminate in an associate degree are available, but most employers look for applicants with a bachelor's degree or higher. Many organizations require a master's degree for entry or advancement. Online health care administration degrees are also available at the doctoral level. According to the American College of Healthcare Executives, a doctoral degree in the field is best suited for individuals looking for scholarly positions.
Online health care administration degree programs can be found in schools of public health, business schools and general liberal arts colleges, and your choice of school will likely impact the courses and emphasis of your program.
Health care administration career outlook and salary
An aging population means a growing health care field, and the position of health care administrator is no exception. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16 percent growth of jobs for health care managers from 2008 to 2018. Those who have work experience in health care and strong management skills might see the best prospects. In 2010, the mean annual wage for medical and health services managers was $93,670.
Future trends and outlook for the health care administration field
Several factors are expected to drive growth of the health care field for many years to come. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010, is expected to bring many changes to the world of health care, including significant changes for health insurance companies. An aging population of baby boomers and advances in medical technology are expected to require many new hires over the coming years. As these changes take place, health care administration professionals with extensive management training and experience could find themselves in high demand.
Doctors and nurses are on the front lines of health care, but behind the scenes, an army of professionals work to coordinate and deliver health care services. Health care administrators supervise the various systems and functions of the health care facility under their direction, as well as manage the staff …
