Healthcare administration is a unique career path that combines the expertise and experience required for a position in the field of healthcare with the confidence, business savvy, and management skills needed for a leadership role. This career is an excellent choice for someone who feels they would excel in a position of authority and hope to change people’s lives by providing the best healthcare possible. Planning a career in healthcare administration starts with smart planning, commitment to education, and a little patience. Read on to learn more about how to become a healthcare administrator.
Choosing Your Major
Fortunately, choosing your major for a career in healthcare administration is fairly straightforward. Many online and on-campus universities offer a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. These programs of study cover several key topics, including the healthcare system, legal concepts, financial management, and health concerns. However, this isn’t the only path to a degree in healthcare administration. Many nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers go on to hold an administrative role later on in their careers. Many of these individuals hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, but they return to school later in their career to receive their master’s in healthcare administration. Even some students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration also go on to earn their master’s degree. In either case, holding a master’s degree in the field is almost always necessary for the most senior-level administrative roles in a healthcare facility.
Job Responsibilities
Healthcare administrators play an important role in making sure a healthcare facility runs efficiently. Financial decisions and budgeting are often major responsibilities associated with this position. They may also handle some human resources tasks, such as the hiring of important staff members. They also establish the facility’s mission, policies, and procedures and work with a board of directors to oversee all aspects of the operation. In some cases, someone with a specialty in a certain area may become a healthcare administrator for a certain department of a hospital or other healthcare provider. Overall, being in healthcare administration requires one to excel at supervising people, handling finances, solving problems, and decision-making.
Experience & Salary Expectations
In many cases, a few years of experience working in a healthcare facility may be enough to earn an entry-level role as a healthcare administrator. Entry-level workers in this field generally earn about $50,000 annually and work a standard 40-hour week. As the years of experience accumulate, pay rates are raised and so are responsibilities. Those with 10 or more years of experience in the field may earn a senior-level position in healthcare administration. Though the salary for these jobs may range from $150,000 to $200,000, these executives may work up to 70 hours a week or more. These administrators work hard to ensure the financial stability and quality healthcare services of a healthcare facility. Because of the job’s demanding aspects, it’s important to think long and hard and plan out your healthcare administration career before committing to the education to support that career choice. For those who are cut out for the job, it can be a great way to serve others and make a difference.
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