Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Specializations
- Health Care Informatics
- Health Care Management
- Patient Safety and Quality
- Health Care Financial Management
- Health Care Law and Policy
A bachelor's of healthcare administration is often pursued by individuals interested in careers dealing with the business side of medical facilities. Medical and health services managers are projected to see an employment growth of 20 percent between 2016 and 2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals also earned a median annual wage of $96,540 as of May 2016. Candidates interested in earning a bachelor's of healthcare administration can choose from several concentrations or areas of specialization.
Related Resource: 15 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration
Health Care Informatics
Healthcare informatics is the integration of computer science, cognitive science, information science and healthcare sciences to assist the individual or company in storing and managing healthcare information. It teaches students how to input, sort, retrieve and manage data regarding patients, personnel and the healthcare facility in general. Students taking this concentration will have courses like electronic paper records; security and privacy; data analysis, business intelligence, health care information systems, health care systems and applications, and information management. Candidates are prepared to work not only in healthcare facilities but also in residential care facilities and insurance companies.
Health Care Management
This area of specialization teaches students the important aspects of managing a healthcare facility. They learn not only about business management but also managed care and health care policies. It also focuses on medical equipment purchases and dealing with vendors. Courses in this concentration include quality assurance; health insurance; merger and acquisitions; health care policies; decision making in managed care; principles of management; principles of management; marketing and human resources management. Graduates of this specialization are prepared to obtain certifications through the American Association of Healthcare Administration Management (AAHAM).
Patient Safety and Quality
The quality of care and safety provided to a patient while in a healthcare facility can make a life or death difference. This area of specialization provides students with the knowledge of healthcare administration while teaching them the role of patient advocate, which can be a necessity in a hospital. They become familiar with microeconomics and financial principles and learn about strategic planning and decision making through the utilization of financial data. Courses include patient safety systems and strategy; ethical and legal considerations of healthcare; human relations in administration; and healthcare quality management.
Health Care Financial Management
This specialization teaches students about the financial end of healthcare administration. Students learn the importance of correct decision-making in the health care environment as well as how to face challenges based on patient needs and legal regulations. Course topics may include economics, venture development, accounting and legal regulations in healthcare administration. Graduates of this concentration can pursue professional certifications through the Health Care Administrators Association.
Health Care Law and Policy
The constantly changing legislation and regulations regarding health care make this area of specialization beneficial to aspiring healthcare administrators. Students not only learn about current laws in the health care setting but also learn how to deal with and implement changes without affecting the quality of patient care. They also gain knowledge about insurance laws and healthcare compliance. Course topics include policy analysis in health care; public health care regulation; health law; regulatory affairs; bioethics; health systems; health policies; applied health care law; human resources in healthcare administration; and ethics in health care.
Learning about healthcare administration and all it entails can be the start of a challenging yet rewarding career – a career that can start in as little as four years. Individuals interesting in playing a role in the smooth operation of a healthcare facility may find a bachelor's of healthcare administration an ideal choice.