How to become A Healthcare Administrator

• Medical and Healthcare Manager
• Healthcare Executive

What do Healthcare Administrators do?

A Healthcare Administrator would typically need to:

• Manage the business operations of medical organizations; work to minimize costs and maximize efficiencies while ensuring the services provided are the best possible
• Oversee functions related to medical records and billing in more extensive facilities
• Answer phones, file patient records, issue and pay bills, process insurance claims in smaller facilities
• Manage the concerns of business and residents in nursing homes
• Develop departmental goals and strategies to further the vision of the facility and to expand operations as desired
• Create work schedules for department heads and other staff members; consult with department heads and medical staff on their administrative needs
• Recruit, train and supervise staff members; provide additional training to bridge any gaps that are noted when observations are carried out
• Make immediate corrections or schedule a performance review when staff members are not performing up to established standards
• Prepare and monitor budgets and expenditure to ensure funds are allocated correctly and departments operate within funding limits
• Utilize cost-efficient materials and operations without sacrificing quality; ensure all operations are carried out within the scope of the organizational vision
• Ensure the facility they work in is up to date and compliant with laws and regulations governing health care
• Initiate projects; liaise with external entities like regulatory bodies, the press, the community, scientists; represent the facility at investor meetings or on governing boards
• Keep and organize records of the facility’s services, such as the number of inpatient beds used

Healthcare Administrators work closely with physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, medical and clinical laboratory technologists/technicians, and other healthcare workers. Others may interact with patients or insurance agents. Most work out of an office except when they have to go on rounds to check that everything is in order inside the facility. Adhere to the dress code mantra of ‘dress in a manner which is likely to inspire public confidence.’

Most Healthcare Administrators work full time. A few may need to put in more than 40 hours per week. Work during evenings or weekends may be required in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, open at all hours. You may need to be on call in case of emergencies.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Healthcare Administrators can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Healthcare Administrators are generally employed by:

• Government Hospitals
• Private Hospitals
• Medical & Diagnostic Laboratories
• Private Medical Practices
• Nursing & Residential Care Facilities
• Outpatient Care Centers
• Community Health Centers

Professional associations and organizations like the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) are a crucial resource for Healthcare Administrators interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Hiring and scheduling challenges resulting from staffing restrictions
• Opioid addiction crisis
• Threatened rollback on government insurance programs; adjustments in reimbursement methods because of new health laws
• Poor patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency

Master’s programs may include a supervised internship, fellowship, or residency, which are great for getting relevant work experience. Although the number of required years may vary by position, many healthcare employers like to see significant work experience in healthcare in either an administrative or a clinical role in a hospital or other healthcare facility. E.g., nursing home administrators usually have years of experience working as registered nurses. Others may begin their careers as medical records and health information technicians, administrative assistants, or financial clerks within a healthcare office.

The bottom line is, work experience is essential; if necessary, you should be prepared to garner some through volunteering/working for free. As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession, talking with a high school coun­selor, and interviewing those working in healthcare administration are other important ways to explore your interest.

Healthcare Administrators in the making need at least a bachelor’s degree in health administration/management, public health & public health administration, healthcare finance/ethics/marketing, business administration, and nursing.

Bachelor’s programs are available in online formats. Most bachelor’s degree programs take up to four years and may include almost a year of supervised administrative experience in hospitals or healthcare consulting settings. You need to be aware that these bachelor’s programs are acceptable for entry-level positions only in smaller organizations such as clinics.

Master’s degrees are more common and usually preferred by employers. Students may opt for a Master of Science (MS) in Healthcare Administration, a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), a Master in Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Public Health (MPH), which are available in online formats as well.

Master’s programs include healthcare management, organizational behavior, healthcare policy, healthcare law, health economics, healthcare financing, and human resources. Some master’s programs may be completed within 15 months, while others take up to three years. Any estimation of the duration of study should factor in work experience and any special certifications.

The quality of the master's program will factor in your favor when landing that first job. Lay the groundwork for acceptance into a good program by maintaining an excellent academic record at the bachelor's degree level. Accredited programs will go a long way in establishing your credibility with prospective employers.

Universities offer joint degrees where you can combine healthcare administration with business administration or law. Courses may include medical terminology, hospital organization, and health information systems. Educational requirements may vary by facility and specific function.

Administrators seeking employment in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities may require government-issued licenses. Requirements vary by location. In most areas, these administrators must have a bachelor’s degree, complete a government-approved training program, and pass a national licensing exam.

Some places also require applicants to pass a location-specific exam; others may require applicants to have previous work experience in a healthcare facility.

Administrators in other areas of medical and health care services may not typically require a license. Some positions may require applicants to have a registered nurse or social worker license.

Some Healthcare Administrators choose to become certified in medical management, health information management, nursing home administration, and assisted living administration, although it is not an essential prerequisite. Certification demonstrates competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. Healthcare Administrators advance by moving into higher-paying positions with more responsibility. Some health information managers, for example, can advance to become responsible for the entire hospital’s information systems. Other managers may advance to top executive positions within the organization. Advancement to top-level executive positions usually requires a master’s degree.

Candidates with a master’s degree in health administration or a related field and knowledge of healthcare IT systems will likely have the best prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in the healthcare sector for public wellbeing and career progression. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT. Ideal career progression happens when Healthcare Administrators actively expand their skill sets and meet their respective regulatory bodies’ requirements.

Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services in an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice for a group of physicians.

A Unique Role in Healthcare

Healthcare Administrators typically do not directly impact the health of patients. Instead, they help ensure that their facility is appropriately marketed, that the employees are satisfied and working efficiently, and that they meet the projected finances. It may involve overseeing a staff of a few hundred to a few thousand people.

Who Pays More?

Government hospitals offer the highest salaries, followed by private hospitals, outpatient care centres, physician offices, and nursing & residential care facilities.

Artificial intelligence technology correctly diagnosed conditions in 81 per cent of patients, compared to a 72 per cent average for accurate diagnoses among real physicians over a five-year-long study.

Healthcare Administrators have the opportunity to build a future where hospitals are more closely aligned in the minds of the patients with the joy of living than the fear of dying.

Successful Healthcare Administrators put their heart, mind, and soul into even the smallest acts. That is the secret of their success.