4 Careers You Can Consider With a Health Administration Degree

Health administration is an expansive field, offering several career paths for students to follow. A degree in health administration qualifies students to efficiently handle daily operations and execute administrative tasks related to the healthcare field. 

If you are currently enrolled in a health administration degree program or are curious about working in this area, discovering more about the types of jobs in healthcare administration will help you kick-start your career after graduation. It is not necessary to have a medical background for a job in health administration, although clinical professionals do well in this field. Apart from clinical professionals, people in management yearning to enter healthcare are also suitable candidates for the field of health administration. 

In this article, you can find several jobs if you have a healthcare administration degree.

What is healthcare administration? 

Healthcare administration refers to the business-related aspect of healthcare and the control of non-clinical operations of a healthcare facility. This includes a variety of procedures, such as planning and overseeing a budget, choosing the right staff, and long-term strategizing. It also requires attention to safety, accreditation, safety, and regulation. 

Before selecting a career in this field, you must be aware of the associated responsibilities of a healthcare administrator because they directly or indirectly impact essential elements of the healthcare industry, such as efficiency and cost reduction.

What are the responsibilities of a healthcare administrator?

People with a health administration degree opting for an administrative role in this field are responsible for supervising procedures such as contracting, billing, human resources, budgets, and supplies. Additionally, they are responsible for providing appropriate physical security and information technology security. 

They also correspond with local organizations to gain deeper insights into the impact of social factors on health equity. Another responsibility is to perform an efficient cost-benefit analysis to determine ways to better the financial position and functionality of the healthcare facility. Furthermore, they are also responsible for enforcing effective management systems targeted to increase customer satisfaction and overall performance.

Most popular health administration careers

Medical Office Administrator

Such a person oversees all the managerial duties in their healthcare facility. This encompasses billing, purchasing, patient management, and safely storing and tracking all records. These professionals have full-time jobs in healthcare facilities because their input is indispensable in effectively running medical offices, hospitals, and clinics.

Medical office administrators guarantee that all medical professionals have the necessary means to assist patients in every manner and that the patients leave with complete satisfaction. The minimum requirement to work as a medical office administrator is a high school diploma, although employers also prefer a college education. 

The skill set essential to thrive as a medical office administrator differs between facilities but often features software experience, good communication skills, billing and accounting, and the ability to troubleshoot problems.

Medical Director

Medical directors have a slightly larger field of supervision than medical office administrators. They manage operations within their organization or department related to appropriate scheduling and staffing, implementing effective policies and procedures, and suitably using healthcare technologies. They also maintain contact with medical providers to ensure a steady medical supply. They may put in longer work hours compared to traditional full-time office hours, especially during emergencies.

Medical directors easily find jobs in healthcare and medical services. To work as a medical director, you typically need a master’s degree at a minimum. Some facilities may also require a doctorate or medical degree. 

A sound medical director will embody good communication and problem-solving skills, leadership qualities, and organizational skills. Additionally, they will have the skill set to be calm around agitated people while having in-depth knowledge of healthcare policies and laws.

Database Administrator

In the healthcare industry, database administrators handle all data related to medical facilities. They provide easy and convenient access to information when required and also guarantee that the date is suitably organized, backed up, and secure for future access. Other tasks include rebooting and troubleshooting problems in systems and coding data architecture.

Professionals intending to pursue this career require good communication, analytical skill, and the ability to recognize and solve problems. They should also have skills in coding, advanced computing, and database platform expertise. 

Although the job prerequisites differ by role and the organization, a degree in information technology or a healthcare administration degree is usually needed. A certificate program along with a bachelor’s in health education or a master’s in health education can also be sufficient to land this job.

Clinic Administrator

Clinic administrators have a pivotal role in healthcare facilities. They supervise most of the daily activities of a healthcare clinic. This includes office management, efficient record-keeping, and communication with the patients. 

They guarantee that the system operates like clockwork, ensuring that there is a complete stock of medical supplies at all times, equipment is fully operational, and that staff follows an organized schedule. They also ensure the clinic adheres to the appropriate security and regulatory requirements.

Clinic administrators mostly require communication, leadership, and organizational skills. Their working hours mostly coincide with traditional working hours, although they can change depending on emergencies and after-hour care. These professionals require a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree in healthcare administration, but clinics can also employ people with a certificate or an associate degree.

Conclusion

A degree in health administration has several benefits for people interested in pursuing a managerial career in the healthcare industry. This degree offers a series of courses that equip you with the necessary skills to make a lasting impact as a manager or director in the healthcare industry. It proves to potential employers that you have the skill and expertise to take on crucial leadership and management roles. 

This degree provides the momentum to progress in your current appointment or pursue a different role. It helps expand your network and provides better-paying job opportunities and a sense of job security. It also enables you to advance your career to new heights, leading to professional satisfaction.