| If doctors and nurses are the first things that | | | | volunteer and garner work experience and |
| come to mind when you think of a career in | | | | internship positions at local healthcare centers as |
| healthcare, you need to think again. Doctors and | | | | part of their degree program. |
| nurses, while vital to the medical community, still | | | | If you choose a career in healthcare |
| need a host of trained and experienced | | | | administration, you are assured of making a |
| professionals working behind the scenes to ensure | | | | significant contribution to community health. There |
| the smooth running of hospitals, clinics and other | | | | are several job options in this field that you can |
| medical facilities. Organizations can run smoothly | | | | choose from such as administrative positions in |
| only with the help and expertise of managers and | | | | hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, healthcare |
| administrators who plan and supervise the day to | | | | agencies, insurance companies, and even HMOs. |
| day running and maintain the quality of services | | | | Entry-level positions include health provider |
| offered. The field of medicine is constantly being | | | | representative, accountants, marketing assistants, |
| developed and re-invented through technological | | | | and project managers and consultants. Mid-level |
| and scientific breakthroughs. Professionals in | | | | jobs could include positions such as department |
| healthcare administration therefore need to be up | | | | managers, contract negotiators, case managers, |
| to date with cutting edge technology and the | | | | and marketing directors while senior-level positions |
| changes inherent in such an industry. | | | | include Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating |
| Healthcare services as a career is poised to grow | | | | Officers, Chief Financial Officers and |
| exponentially over the next decade or so. With | | | | Vice-Presidents of various departments and |
| 3.5 million jobs projected, healthcare is the fastest | | | | services. With a health care administration degree, |
| growing industry in the U.S. today. For students in | | | | you could be handling a diverse range of |
| high school interested in a career in healthcare | | | | responsibilities that include human resources, |
| administration, include courses in Math, English, | | | | marketing, staff relations, planning, development, |
| Science, and Social Sciences. A foreign language | | | | patient care services, government relations, and |
| such as Spanish could also work to your | | | | information systems. You will be on call and your |
| advantage. Entry-level positions in healthcare | | | | services will be required to solve problems, make |
| administration require a minimum of a | | | | critical choices and delegate and supervise a staff |
| Bachelor’s degree. For a higher-level job or | | | | that could number in the hundreds. As you can |
| greater earning potential, you could follow up with | | | | see, healthcare administration covers a large area |
| a Master’s degree as well. Most | | | | and what you do will ultimately depend on the size |
| Bachelor’s degrees in healthcare administration | | | | and type of the medical facility that employs you. |
| cover basic theory and an overview of the | | | | Salaries are competitive but work schedules may |
| healthcare industry. Also included in the curriculum | | | | be a bit demanding as most hospitals work 24/7. |
| is the development of skills such as financial | | | | To be successful in this field demands a |
| management, leadership skills, business planning | | | | combination of communication skills, negotiating |
| skills, and statistical analysis. A good healthcare | | | | power, analysis of information and the ability to |
| degree program equips students with knowledge | | | | thrive under stress. If you feel this applies to you, |
| about economics, law, legal and ethical concepts, | | | | then a career in healthcare administration may be |
| and the organizational structure in the medical | | | | exactly what you are looking for. |
| community. Students may be encouraged to | | | | |