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.
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:
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.
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:
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 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?
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.
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.
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.
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.