As a fast-growing profession in the country's largest industry, health administration jobs provide leadership-oriented individuals with the opportunity to make a positive difference in patients' lives. A degree in health management opens the doors to a broad range of employment settings, enabling graduates to choose a career path that suits their strengths and goals.
Potential students interested in pursuing a healthcare administration degree will find a number of educational options available, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Degree programs of note include Ithaca College's B.S. in health care management program, which stresses real-world learning through internships and supervised research, and the University of North Carolina's executive master of health administration program, which is designed specifically for working students with previous managerial experience. When selecting a degree program, students should consider factors such as school ranking, faculty credentials and curricular strengths.
Popular Healthcare Administration Jobs
Health administration professionals may find Healthcare Administration Jobs in hospitals and clinics, biotechnology companies and community health centers, to name just a few possibilities. Described below are five popular Healthcare Administration Jobs.
Clinical Manager
Clinical managers run the business side of a healthcare services facility, ensuring that the facility meets the needs of patients while operating profitably and effectively. They generally oversee one specific department within a healthcare facility, such as surgery or radiology, and their responsibilities may vary depending on the size and requirements of that particular department. Clinical managers work closely with physicians and hospital staff, always with a focus on delivering optimal patient care. Job duties include creating and adhering to budgets, establishing and upholding policies and standards for the department, recruiting and training staff and making purchasing decisions. The typical yearly salary range for clinical managers is $40,754 to $87, 413, according to Payscale.com.
Health Information Manager
Health information managers combine IT expertise with health administration acumen, maintaining and managing the complex databases required for the running of a health services facility. They defend sensitive patient records from hackers or other unauthorized use, while keeping the information easily accessible to the healthcare providers who need it. Depending on the size of their employing facility, health information managers may also supervise staff and communicate with upper-management. This cutting-edge career requires familiarity with the latest IT advances as well as with up-to-date health information legislation and policies. Health information managers typically earn $42,994 to $109,272, as reported by Payscale.com.
Nursing Home Administrator
Nursing home administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a nursing home facility. They hire and supervise staff, plan and coordinate medical services, handle budgets and finances, uphold patient care standards and manage admissions to the facility. They also oversee proper care of the facility building and manage the acquisition of medical supplies. When employed by smaller facilities, they may also direct public relations and advertising. In all states, nursing home administrators must be licensed, with licensing qualifications varying by state. The typical salary for a nursing home administrator ranges from $50,268 to $108,321, according to Payscale.com.
Community Health Coordinator
Community health coordinators are committed to identifying and addressing health needs within their communities. To achieve these ends, they develop and implement evaluations and diagnostics to determine which health issues require resolution. Using the information they acquire, they then plan, coordinate and promote health programs. Specific job duties may include developing health education materials, training health educators and other community health workers, creating budgets and reporting on program results. According to Payscale.com, community health coordinators can expect to earn $29,799 to $57,162 annually.
Chief Nursing Officer
For nursing professionals who have already completed a BSN degree, a master's level degree in healthcare administration can pave the way to a career as a chief nursing officer. CNOs oversee and coordinate a health facility's nursing department. They work to ensure the quality of patient care while acting as a liaison between nursing staff and upper management. They establish policies and procedures, maintain and uphold nursing standards, create and adhere to nursing budgets and supervise the recruiting and training of nursing staff. Payscale.com reports that the typical salary range for CNOs is $74,277 to $159,814.
To unlock career opportunities in the management sphere, health administration students should recognize the value of specialized experience. The most successful graduates will be the ones who pursue internship, volunteer or entry-level employment opportunities while still in school. A combination of career-focused coursework and hands-on experience should lend a competitive edge when applying for health administration jobs.