The world of healthcare reaches far beyond the examination room or hospital bed. Just like any business, healthcare organizations depend on administrative professionals to help them operate efficiently and effectively. If you’re interested in the business side of healthcare, you’ll be glad to know there is immense demand for these careers.
Administrative skills paired with an understanding of the healthcare industry can prime you to take on various roles critical to the success of healthcare organizations.
Increasing Demand in the Healthcare Industry
The healthcare industry as a whole is experiencing booming demand across both clinical and administrative roles. There are a few factors contributing to this trend:
- “Great Resignation” and retirement: Since the start of the pandemic, many workers have chosen to exit the healthcare industry to pursue different career paths or retire. This trend has opened up new opportunities within healthcare for those willing to fill the void.
- Aging population: Even if the industry maintained the same number of healthcare professionals, there would still be an ongoing need for more to enter the sector. The number of Americans aged 65 and older has steadily risen, now accounting for 16.8% of the total U.S. population as of 2020. With more older adults, the nation’s healthcare needs will continue to increase.
- Technology adoption: As healthcare organizations undergo digital transformation, they need qualified professionals to operate new software systems. For example, healthcare companies today are hiring experts to manage electronic health records, patient portals, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and more.
The healthcare industry has an ongoing need for administrative positions in particular. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for healthcare administrators — also called medical and health services managers — is projected to grow by 28% from 2022-2032. That’s significantly faster than the average for all other occupations!
Healthcare administrators play a valuable role in keeping healthcare organizations running and freeing up clinicians to focus on delivering excellent care. Doctors regularly lament the burden of administrative tasks, which can distract from their primary role. This trend suggests healthcare organizations will need to expand their administrative teams to help clinicians avoid burnout and deliver higher-quality care.
What Healthcare Administration Careers Are in Demand?
Healthcare administration is a broad category that includes a variety of functions, from expertly maintaining records to managing employees to organizing marketing campaigns.
Many administrative roles are also leadership roles that involve making strategic decisions that will help healthcare organizations succeed. Whether it’s a community clinic or a massive medical insurance provider, having the right business leaders can ensure long-term success and promote positive outcomes for everyone involved in the organization.
Some popular healthcare administration career paths include:
- Administrator or director at a hospital, dentist's office or other clinical practice
- Human resource manager
- Medical records and health information specialist
- Lab testing facility manager
- Healthcare CEO
According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earn a median salary of $104,830. An increase in earning potential is an excellent reason to consider pursuing a business role in healthcare. To start, you’ll need the right degree to qualify for a high-paying healthcare administration role.
Healthcare Administration Degrees and Certifications
Healthcare administration careers require an understanding of business, healthcare and ethical principles to inform everyday tasks and strategic decision-making. To that end, healthcare administration professionals benefit greatly from a degree program designed to impart these foundational principles and skills. So, what are the best healthcare degrees for administration careers?
Bachelor of Healthcare Administration
Many healthcare administration careers require a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration or a similar four-year degree. These degree programs are housed within a university’s business school and include core business classes alongside healthcare-specific courses.
Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration
Other healthcare administration careers may require or benefit from a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (MBA-HCA). These programs build on the foundational principles you learn in a bachelor’s degree program or in the field to prepare you for a more advanced role. Getting your master’s degree is a great move if you want to qualify for a leadership position, such as a hospital CEO.
Professional Certifications
Some careers can also benefit from professional certifications, which require you to pass an exam. For example, if you want to pursue a career in medical billing and coding, you should consider becoming a Certified Coding Associate (CCA), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Professional Coder (CPC). If you want to focus on the finance side of healthcare, you may benefit from an accounting certification or a healthcare-specific credential, such as the Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) certification.
Opportunity Knocks: Time to Pursue an In-Demand Career in Healthcare Administration
Healthcare administration professionals are in high demand. Are you interested in this career path? If so, now is the time to pursue a healthcare business career. Because this is a broad category, you may wonder where your niche lies. Start by learning about the differences between healthcare administration and healthcare management — closely related areas with different focuses.
Whether you’re more interested in big-picture decision-making or vital everyday administrative tasks, you can earn your healthcare degree and make a valuable difference in this industry through a high-paying, fulfilling career.
