A healthcare administrator is responsible for managing healthcare facilities. They oversee staffing, paperwork, and other administrative duties. They are responsible for making sure that the business end of healthcare continues to operate.
What to Expect
As a healthcare administrator individuals will be expected to continually monitor the operations of a facility, staff, or department. They are to ensure that operations are running smoothly and efficiently.
Clinical managers focus on a specific clinical area and field. They are trained in that field and understand what it takes to provide quality care to patients. A healthcare administrator of a facility that focuses solely on physical therapy will have experience in physical therapy. This level of expertise allows the administrator better understanding of what is needed and required of the staff and facility in order to best serve the patients.
Health information managers maintain patient records. These administrators must constantly stay updated with the ever changing regulations and laws regarding medical records. They will also be expected to learn and operate new technology and computer systems as ways of handling and processing patient files and information advance.
In larger facilities more than one healthcare administrator will be employed. These administrators will then answer to a head administrator and are trusted with routine day to day tasks.
These tasks can include anything from scheduling to reviewing procedures. Healthcare administrators are responsible for the smoother operations of the facility and ensure that the patient’s under the care of that facility are receiving quality care.
Education, Training, and Certification
For many healthcare administrator roles a master’s degree will be required. In smaller facilities and in entry level positions a bachelor’s degree is sufficient, however, alongside adequate experience.
Many care facilities look for candidates with a master’s degree in;
- Long-term care administration
- Public health
- Health service administration
- Health science
- Public administration
- Business administration
Individuals wanting to advance to the head of clinical departments should not only have a background in some form of business administration but should also have extensive experience and training in that department’s specialty.
In some state licensing is required before an individual can work as a healthcare administrator. It is important to look into what requirements must be met before seeking employment as a healthcare administrator.
Other qualities aside from licensing and education that is required of a healthcare administrator are;
- The ability to analyze and interpret data
- The ability to think logically
- The ability to make decisions sometimes with limited information
Advancement in this field often leads to consulting positions or administration positions for larger facilities.
Employment Options
Healthcare administrators can be found in any number of fields and areas. There are numerous healthcare facilities that are in need of administrative professionals to oversee operations and staff. Some of the facilities include;
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient care centers
- Community care centers
- Hospitals
- Physician’s office
- Residential care facilities
Employment Outlook
The healthcare industry is projected to experience faster than average growth in the coming decades. As a result of the increased demand of care facilities and professionals such as healthcare administrators will be needed more than ever.
Individuals with a master’s degree in a healthcare field and business management will find that job prospects will be excellent. Other individuals will still be able to find employment though in some facilities competition will be tough.
Projected Salary
The salary earned by healthcare administrators depends on the precise role and the company they are employed by. Administrators with larger facilities can expect to have a larger salary than those employed at private care facilities. It is possible for healthcare administrators to earn $100,000 annually given the right circumstances.
The editors of McGraw-Hill and the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Big Book of Jobs, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013 ©2009 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Material "Adapted"