Individuals who wish to become a healthcare administrator, also known as a medical and health service manager, will work on behalf of a healthcare company or medical institution to coordinate services in medical settings and provide quality care. Healthcare administrators may sometimes work closely with nurses and physicians, and they may also work with one or more assistant administrators. Depending on the size of the facility, a healthcare administrator may manage a single department or the entire facility, and they may work for long-term care nursing facilities, home healthcare organizations or hospitals.
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
First, an aspiring healthcare administrator must obtain a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration. This program will provide foundational training and knowledge for entry-level management positions within the field of healthcare. Practical experience and coursework teach business skills such as accounting and human resources management as they relate to healthcare or medical institutions. Students majoring in healthcare administration may also take advantage of internship opportunities to gain practical, real-world experience, and students should begin to think about graduate-level education while earning their bachelor’s degrees. Graduate programs may require specific criteria for admissions, including statistics competence. Knowing these requirements in advance will allow students to choose the appropriate courses so that they qualify for an advanced degree program.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree may pursue a master’s degree in health system administration, allowing them to qualify for healthcare administrator and management positions. Similar to bachelor’s programs, students seeking a master’s degree must complete coursework in subjects such as leadership, economics and strategic planning. Graduate students may also be required to complete field studies in a healthcare-related environment such as a hospital through residencies. These programs may take two to three years to finish and may be offered part- or full-time. In addition, some master’s degree programs may offer student societies or other organizations for individuals seeking a career in the field of healthcare administration. These groups may provide both networking and learning opportunities for working professionals and students.
A license is not necessarily required to hold a position in healthcare management, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, some states regulate assisted living center managers, and all states require nursing care facility administrators to sit for state licensure testing. Once granted, an administrator must continue his or her education in order to maintain the license.
Healthcare administrators may also wish to seek voluntary certification from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) that will help set them apart from their peers. Holding a Registered Health Information Administrator credential will demonstrate the applicant’s proficiency in a number of areas, including management, informatics and data management. In order to be eligible for this credential, applicants must must have successfully completed an approved post-baccalaureate academic program or earn a bachelor’s degree in a health management field from an accredited university. Healthcare administrators must meet continuing education requirements, typically every two years, in order to maintain certification.
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To be successful, a strong healthcare administrator must also be analytical and detail-oriented, possessing strong communication, technical, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Individuals looking to become a healthcare administrator or to work in the field of healthcare must understand the importance of not only having a solid educational foundation but also these personality traits as well.
