Healthcare Management

Trade Schools with Healthcare Management Programs

Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Health Services Administration

Are you an ambitious individual with strong leadership skills and a passion for helping others? If so, a career in healthcare management may be the right fit for you. This challenging yet rewarding line of work is an excellent choice for those who enjoy making a difference in the lives of others.

What is Healthcare Management?

Healthcare managers supervise hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices and public health clinics. They oversee operations and help every branch work effectively to provide the best possible patient care. These professionals are in charge of making sure that their organization is functioning as it should.

In order for a medical or wellness center to run smoothly, every person in every department must be on the same page. Physicians, human resources, accounting, and even IT must come together and perform as a team. Managers lead this collaborative effort and guide everyone toward the goal of improving patient services.

A career in healthcare management is often stressful. These employees are always multitasking and making adjustments to the operation of their site. Managers in small clinics and offices may have to perform all the administrative tasks on their own. Even so, the benefit to their clients is well worth the challenges.

What Are Healthcare Management Job Duties?

The most important duty of a healthcare manager is keeping up on current health-related policies and regulations. Each organization must follow the standards set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Managers must frequently adjust company practices to ensure compliance with industry guidelines.

Another aspect of running a medical center involves risk management. Medical errors, technology issues, budget concerns, and legal liabilities can affect patient safety and business operations. Managers identify and address these problems with each department to promote efficiency and limit possible hazards.

Depending on the particular facility, other healthcare management duties may include:

Managing finances, including overhead costs, patient fees and billing.
Marketing
Creating work and shift schedules
Keeping written and electronic records of services
Handling medical team needs to ensure they have all they need to do their jobs.

What Type of Skills Should Healthcare Managers Possess?

Being business-minded is a valuable trait for a healthcare manager. Office coordination, budgeting, and marketing skills play a huge role in this career. They should also study human resource management and effective team development strategies. These abilities are crucial for the supervisory tasks that workers in this position must perform on a daily basis.

There is also a need for general knowledge of the medical field. Degree programs cover medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and basic patient care techniques. These skills help managers understand the conditions of each client, and allows them to easily document and access medical records within their database.

Companies also expect employees to have a range of general traits and abilities. Managers must think critically and know how to problem solve and address workplace concerns. They must be able to handle multiple duties at once from several different departments. Most of all, dedication to helping those in need gives these professionals a deep sense of satisfaction.

What is a Healthcare Manager's Work Environment Like?

The work environment of a healthcare manager differs depending on the task at hand. Research and filing jobs involve deskwork, while business luncheons could take place in boardrooms or restaurants. Managers may even spend a day outdoors at a fun community event while promoting their facility. These refreshing changes in atmosphere allow employees to enjoy themselves while they work.

Why Do Healthcare Managers Need the Ability to Communicate Well?

As the leader of a team, it is crucial that healthcare managers communicate well with other administrators. Knowing how to properly talk about workplace issues prevents arguments and enhances clarity. Sharing ideas and providing feedback while listening to their coworkers helps the facility run in a cohesive manner.

Making proposals during government board meetings and persuading investors to fund your site is a vital part of a healthcare management career. Discussing your goals and needs can result in financial gain and community recognition. Good communication skills are vital to the perception and success of your company within the industry.

How Do Healthcare Managers Promote Their Work?

Managers put their marketing skills to the test in several ways. Developing websites and advertising on TV and social media platforms are all common methods for building brand awareness. Some facilities may use community outreach efforts such as free health screening events to gain public favor and boost business.

What are Useful Skills for People in This Field?

Leadership skills
Ability to plan for changes in the industry
Teamwork and mentoring abilities
Attention to detail

Knowledge of business administration and operations
Data analysis
Patient care
Quality control and assurance

Are There Special Requirements for Healthcare Management Jobs?

Many aspiring managers begin their education with a two-year program. Courses such as medical terminology, technology, and accounting lay the groundwork for a career in the healthcare field. Students who receive an associate’s degree often enter the workforce as operational assistants or medical secretaries,

Most facilities require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level management jobs. Qualifying applicants will have studied healthcare regulations, medical ethics, and operation management. Whether students wish to head the patient finance, health insurance or physician practice department, they must complete a four-year program.

Those searching for leadership roles and executive positions in the health services industry should pursue a master’s degree. These learners study health-related policy and law, organizational behavior and human resources. Employees with these qualifications can work as location managers, program directors and even CEOs.

What Is the Outlook for
Healthcare Management Jobs?

As the large baby-boom population ages and remains active later in life, the demand for healthcare services increases. With a growing need for medical workers, openings for administrative employees are on the rise. A number of positions are available for experienced hopefuls with strong management skills.

The salary of a healthcare management professional differs depending on their location and training. Employees who work in hospitals average roughly $100k per year, while those in nursing homes make closer to $90k. Private practice managers earn the highest wage, starting near $115k.

Healthcare facilities offer a variety of employee benefits to their executives, including:

Medical, dental and vision insurance
Holidays off
Competitive wages based on experience
401(k) retirement plans
Paid time off
Parental leave

What Should Workers Expect?

With all the tasks they tackle in a workday, healthcare management professionals may work anywhere from forty to sixty hours per week. Physician’s office employees may get weekends and holidays off, but 24-hour locations such as hospitals and nursing homes may need administrators to work mornings, evenings, or even overnight.

Healthcare costs, policies, and technology change on a frequent basis. Managers face the challenge of staying ahead of these shifts and keeping staff members informed. They must regularly reshape the goals and practices of their facility in order to meet government standards and comply with health department codes.

Where Can Prospects Find Work?

Healthcare management professionals work in a variety of settings. They often run daily operations at locations such as:

Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Doctor’s offices
Outpatient care locations
Public Health clinics
Rehabilitation centers
Mental Health facilities
Research labs
Government agencies

Can You Work Remotely?

While most management tasks take place on-site, some companies offer remote working opportunities. Employees can send files, medical records and other important documents online. Teleconferences and emails allow managers to communicate with staff from home. With a computer and internet access, workers can perform bookkeeping and networking tasks from anywhere.

Do Healthcare Management Professionals Have Any Other Options?

Some professionals with a healthcare management degree decide to become health care consultants. They may travel to different locations and learn how the facility operates, then help the staff make adjustments to obey regulations. This freelance-type job allows them to apply their knowledge and skills to a wide range of companies.

Employers typically require healthcare consultants to hold a bachelor’s degree, though many have a master’s. As advisors, these workers earn anywhere from $98k to $175k every year applying their management experience to a variety of locations.

What are Alternate Careers for Healthcare Manager?

The vast skillset of a healthcare manager allows them to adapt to many positions within the industry. People who enjoy the financial aspects of the job may consider working with an insurance company or accounting firm, while those who prefer the creative marketing side can pursue a career in advertising. Managers who simply enjoy helping others can go into social welfare and non-profit work.