The efficient use of our healthcare system is one of the most important topics of 21st century society. With an aging population and increasing demand for individualized and specialty care, healthcare will continue to be a fast-growing and complex profession in the coming years. Careers in healthcare management offer opportunities for individuals who have a talent for effective management and the heart for helping others.
A Career in Healthcare Management
Healthcare management is the focus of professionals who oversee the business side of medical facilities and organizations. Generally, healthcare managers have a master’s degree and a business or clinical background.
Careers in healthcare management vary greatly in their scope – some involve working in nursing homes, while others may involve interfacing with a large institution’s financial, legal and human resources departments.
Why Healthcare Management?
A degree in healthcare management can provide a path to career advancement in the diverse field of healthcare, offering opportunities to move between different environments and face new challenges. Additionally, healthcare managers use a broad range of skills, and interface with experts in healthcare, management and the community as they work through challenges in their organizations. Though the work can be demanding, healthcare management can provide a fascinating and rewarding career.
Working Environments
There are a variety of potential career paths that stem from earning a graduate degree such as an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management. A few of the broader environments include:
- At large facilities, there may be a team of administrators who work on clinical areas such as health information, therapy or surgery.
- Healthcare administrators at medical facilities such as small community hospitals or nursing homes may oversee a wide range of issues, including admissions, finance and personnel.
- For individuals with a clinical background, healthcare management may involve overseeing their particular area of specialty. For instance, nursing administrators are often nurses who have moved from clinical practice to management.
- Federal regulations are mandating implementation of electronic health records, creating opportunities for individuals with a technology background to assume healthcare management roles.
Consider a Career as a Healthcare Manager or Administrator
There are many reasons to consider a job in healthcare management or administration. With a variety of possible career paths in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries, there are a diversity of opportunities to pursue a challenging and rewarding profession. A specialized graduate degree program such as an MBA in Healthcare Management can provide the knowledge and expertise sought by employers nationwide.