Health services project administrators work in a variety of healthcare settings to facilitate the delivery of patient services by managing and directing projects. Their skills are valued by hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and a variety of other healthcare providers. Increasing your career opportunities by pursuing a health services project administrator position can begin with enrolling in an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management.
Health Services Project Administrator Job Outlook
According to national data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2011, employment for medical and health services managers, including health services project administrators, is projected to grow much faster than the average occupation through 2018. A growing job rate may not guarantee employment in the industry. Prospective students are encouraged to conduct independent research regarding actual job growth rates, which vary according to location, education and experience.
Health Services Project Administrator Job Duties
Job duties for health services project administrators vary, depending on the employer. Some may serve in a project manager role, directing the activities of a project team toward achieving established goals in a short-term or long-term capacity. Others may function on a broader scale, taking on tasks such as grant writing, budget preparation, or overseeing an entire facility’s operation.
Health services project administrators may also be responsible for coordinating work schedules and tasks, maintaining documents and files, and administering budgets. They frequently handle responsibilities such as capital justifications and business analysis.
In preparing for new projects, health services project administrators typically prepare objectives, determine specifications, analyze costs, and establish timelines. They may prepare reports and presentations prior to project approval, as well as status reports throughout a project’s duration.
These healthcare professionals typically serve as liaisons between the project team, management and other stakeholders.
Additional duties of health services project administrators may include collecting and reviewing staff timesheets, expense reports, meeting minutes, status reports, and other project materials and reports prepared by staff. They are often involved in contract negotiations with suppliers of materials, goods and services used in completing a project. They may also function as a consultant to senior management, providing data analysis and making recommendations.
Health services project administrators are typically responsible for the successful outcome of their projects. Monitoring project progress, reporting inconsistencies, and communicating changes in scope, pricing, scheduling and other project milestones to appropriate personnel and management are all important duties of this position.
Health services project administrators typically put in 40-hour weeks in comfortable office settings. During project launches and other deadline situations, overtime may be required. Depending on the employer, travel may also be required.
Potential Salary for Health Services Project Administrators
According to a 2010 national survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, the average annual salary for the category that includes health services project administrators was $93,670, while the middle 50% earned between $65,650 and $109,490. The lowest 10% earned approximately $51,280, while those in the highest 10% bracket brought in around $144,880 per year. Because salary potential may vary depending on location, education and experience, prospective students are encouraged to conduct independent research to determine actual earning potential.
Education and Training for Health Services Project Administrators
Most health services project administrator positions require a college degree at minimum. Some employers may show preference to candidates with advanced education, such as an MBA, while others require healthcare experience, which can be obtained through summer employment or internships while pursuing an MBA.
Preparing for a health services project administrator career may begin with earning an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management. Coursework typically includes healthcare policy, financial management, legal aspects of healthcare, and healthcare planning and marketing.
Employers can be confident that individuals who have earned an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Management are able to:
- Apply contemporary solutions to current healthcare business problems.
- Make decisions using creative problem-solving skills.
- Use management theories of leadership, negotiation and team building to support organizational goals.
- Plan, communicate and motivate effectively in a healthcare environment.
- Leverage advanced skills and knowledge to succeed as a health services project administrator.
Some employers offer opportunities for continuing education. It may be possible to gain an entry-level position with a bachelor’s degree and use a tuition assistance program to earn your MBA.
Are You Interested in a Career as a Health Services Project Administrator?
Outstanding career opportunities exist in the rapidly growing healthcare field. If you are a professional currently employed in healthcare, or would like to shift into a healthcare career, you could be a good fit for a health services project administrator position. You’ll need excellent verbal and written communication, leadership, financial and critical thinking skills, as well as knowledge of business and healthcare. If you possess these skills, you can gain the knowledge it takes to enter the healthcare field as a health services project administrator by earning your MBA in Healthcare Management.