Hospital or MCO administration
Healthcare is a business; like every other business, it needs good management to keep it running smoothly. Today, an estimated 300,000 people serve in health administration, from middle management to CEO positions at organizations that range in size from one or two staff members to major international companies employing hundreds of thousands of employees.
Healthcare administrators, also known as health services managers and health care managers, direct the operation of hospitals, health systems, and other organizations. They have responsibility for facilities, services, programs, staff, budgets, relations with other organizations, and other management functions, depending on the type and size of the organization.
Generally, healthcare administrators work in offices. Most work full time, and some are called to work more than 40 hours a week. Depending on the position and organization, healthcare administrators may need to be on call in the evenings and weekends in case of emergencies.
Job Market: The projected percent change in employment from 2020 to 2030. The average growth rate is 32% (Much faster than average).
Base Salary: $104,280 per year $50.13 per hour
Prerequisites
Medical and health services managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. However, master’s degrees are common and sometimes preferred by employers. Graduate programs often last between 2 and 3 years and may include up to 1 year of supervised administrative experience in a hospital or healthcare consulting setting.
Common majors for medical and health services managers include healthcare and related fields, such as health administration, nursing, or public policy and social services. Degrees that focus on both management and healthcare combine business-related courses with courses in medical terminology, hospital organization, and health information systems. For example, a degree in health administration or health information management often includes courses in health services management, accounting and budgeting, human resources administration, strategic planning, law and ethics, health economics, and health information systems.
Applying
College graduates can apply for a graduate program, no matter what their undergraduate degree is in, from health care management and business, to biology, sociology, policy, public health, government, social work or allied health professions. Some coursework in economics and statistics is helpful, but not generally a requirement. The Health Administration, Management and Policy Centralized Application Service is a centralized application service designed for students applying to graduate programs in health administration, health care management and health policy.
Resources
- Is health care right for you? Visit explorehealthcareers.org
- Occupational Outlook Handbook