Healthcare administration is projected to be one of the fastest growing careers in the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers are expected to see 20 percent job growth by 2026, a rate considered much faster than average. For those who want to advance in the world of healthcare, here are some exciting and rewarding careers to consider.
Careers in Health Administration
Unless otherwise stated, all information is derived from PayScale.
Nursing Home Administrator
Nursing home administrators oversee the management of nursing home facilities. They may be responsible for:
- Planning and implementing nursing services
- Providing oversight for quality assurance
- Managing budgets
- Negotiating contractual agreements
- Training staff members
Depending on requirements in their state, those in this position must pass national exams to gain licensure as a nursing home administrator and/or residential care/assisted living administrator. Aspiring nursing home administrators will also prove competitive in the job market by earning a master’s degree. These professionals earn an average annual salary of $87,564.
Medical Office Business Manager
Medical office business managers oversee the daily workings of a medical office. Their duties may include:
- Training and managing administrative staff
- Communicating with patients regarding fees, payment plans and other financial matters
- Connecting with insurance companies in order to secure payments
- Reviewing accounts receivable reports
- Ensuring state and federal compliance
- Preparing and managing budgets
Becoming a medical office business manager generally requires a bachelor’s degree. These individuals earn an average annual salary of $56,634.
Dental Office Manager
As leadership professionals, dental office managers oversee all daily operations in dental offices and dental firms. They may be charged with:
- Maintaining facilities and equipment
- Managing patient services, including scheduling appointments
- Billing and record keeping
- Handling budgets
- Improving the efficiency of care and the quality of patient service
These professionals earn an average annual salary of $49,040. Although a bachelor’s degree is not always required, it is often preferred. Additionally, dental office managers usually must have some practical experience in the field.
Clinical Coordinator
Clinical coordinators hold the responsibility of overseeing all administrative aspects of hospital departments and health services organizations. Duties of their role might include:
- Creating budgets
- Managing hiring and training efforts
- Analyzing patient care
- Ensuring accreditation standard compliance
- Creating long-term strategies for maintenance and growth of their organizations
Clinical coordinators earn an average annual salary of $56,719. Although those seeking to enter this field generally require a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree is helpful to gain a competitive edge in the job market. In some cases, an advanced degree can be obtained while working in the position.
Health Information Management Manager
Health information management managers oversee the maintenance of computer databases that contain patient and treatment information. Their duties include:
- Organizing and maintaining documents such as medical records, lab results, internal organizational memoranda and insurance documents
- Ensuring data is accurate and up to date
- Compliance with privacy laws and institutional ethical standards
- Managing technicians and other employees
Health information management managers earn an average annual salary of $55,355. The position generally requires a bachelor’s degree.
Hospice Administrator
Hospice administrators are responsible for managing hospice organizations. As managers who work closely with terminal patients, they are responsible for overseeing a team that meets a diverse group of needs, including pain management, nursing, home care, spiritual services and more. Their day-to-day duties may include:
- Hiring and training personnel
- Managing paperwork
- Organizing employee information
- Delegating tasks
- Coordinating services
Generally, those in this field are required to have some prior experience as a registered nurse. Those who obtain a bachelor’s degree have a competitive advantage in the job market. Hospice administrators earn an average annual salary of $81,837.
Social or Community Service Manager
Social service managers, also called community service managers, oversee organizations focused on helping the public, such as government agencies or private medical facilities. Their responsibilities may include:
- Training, hiring and evaluating new staff
- Assessing client needs
- Managing patient records and other documents
- Tracking metrics such as costs, patient satisfaction and attendance
- Scheduling special events
Social service managers earn an average annual salary of $48,893. While a bachelor’s degree is required, a master’s degree is often preferred. Those seeking this position should have several years of experience in the field before entering the role.
Build Your Leadership Career in the Healthcare Field
Quality healthcare leadership comes from proper training and experience. The University of West Florida’s online healthcare administration degree can offer the unique preparation needed for passionate professionals to go further in their careers. A fully online degree means a flexible format of study, enabling students to continue working while obtaining a life-changing education.