Are you interested in starting a career in healthcare but aren’t sure where to begin? Despite all the opportunities available, landing a job in the industry isn’t always so easy. Even so, you might want to consider a position in healthcare administration.
The question is, what’s the work about? Generally, a healthcare administrator focuses on managing different aspects of a medical facility. But what exactly are those jobs?
Here’s your guide to healthcare administration, from what it’s all about to what you can expect from it.
What Is Healthcare Administration?
Basically, healthcare administration aims to organize a medical organization to provide high-quality care. Many also refer to it as healthcare management,
The job usually involves looking into the daily operations of your facility. A few of the key fields it covers include staffing, finance, business operations, and efficiency.
Given the nature of the work, there are positions available in several medical settings. You can find it in hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, and other similar offices.
The Roles of a Healthcare Administrator
A healthcare administrator facilitates several aspects of a medical organization. These may include the following tasks.
Note that the healthcare administrator duties you get assigned may vary on the facility. Even so, you are likely to encounter most of these.
Staff-Related Tasks
Part of your role may include managing staff, from recruitment to training. So, you should have effective managerial skills. It means being able to communicate well, coordinate with different sections, and oversee employee performance.
Finances
Although most facilities have a separate finance team, these jobs could also go to a healthcare administrator. When it comes to financing, you are likely to work on the following:
- Record expenses
- Develop cost-reduction strategies
- Set and check budgets
Recordkeeping
Keeping records is a crucial part of management in any industry. In the healthcare industry, administrators usually handle those tasks with the help of electronic record management software like this EHR for example. This includes facility records across the organization, from business to patient files.
Facility Monitoring
Your primary task as an administrator is overseeing operations within the facility. And so, you will also likely work on making sure it goes smoothly. These may include duties such as the following:
- Maintain facility compliance and regulations
- Report policy adjustments and changes
- Create and set work schedules
- Track supply inventory
Why You Should Pursue It
A medical facility needs more than medical staff to function like a proper business. That’s where a healthcare administrator comes in.
These are the people who provide the facility with the support it needs to operate. But aside from its purpose, here are a few more reasons why you should consider pursuing it.
High Earning Potential
One thing about healthcare careers is that you can expect good pay. Your salary varies on your experience or education, but it offers higher salaries than most jobs. To scale, you can get up to around $35,000 for entry-level healthcare administration.
Job Security
The growing need for healthcare facilities around the world also means the demand for facility managers increases. One way or another, you will be able to find a job in the industry. So, it allows you to have job security and worry less about losing work.
Broad Career Options
Once you get a position in healthcare, it won’t take too long for you to get into other jobs in the field. If you want to switch your career path, you can use your experience to back you up.
Moreover, there are many job options in the industry, allowing you to continue honing your expertise in the field.
How to Become a Healthcare Administrator
Securing a job in the healthcare industry takes some time because it requires you to have specific qualifications. Here’s a quick guide on how you can become a healthcare administrator.
Get a Degree
The first thing you need to remember when you want to pursue a job in healthcare is to get a degree. Education is crucial when you get into the health industry because of the nature of the jobs. You work with people, so it’s only natural to ensure you know what you do every time.
Some institutions and schools offer specific programs in different healthcare fields. You can consider these if you’ve already finished a degree before. If you’re interested in checking them out, you can find more information here.
Keep Learning
Even when you finish a degree in healthcare, it’s best to keep learning. This way, you get to improve your ability to work in the field.
You can consider completing a master’s degree in healthcare education. When you present it to an employer, you can enjoy higher scales of pay and positions.
On the other hand, you can also attend workshops and seminars to continue refreshing what you know about healthcare. At the same time, it can help you learn new things beyond the walls of a classroom.
Earn Certifications
There are several ways to get advanced healthcare-related certifications. They can help build your credibility as a professional and let patients and employers know they can rely on you.
Note that the type of certification you get usually varies on your specialty, but you can also get others if you fit the qualifications.
Grow Your Career in the Health Industry Through Healthcare Administration
The healthcare industry is an excellent place to grow a career because of the benefits you can experience. Aside from that, it’s a fast-growing field, so you’re sure to find something new each time.
One place to start is healthcare administration. It refers to work that focuses on management rather than working one-on-one with patients. You can also begin here if you want to test the waters or give yourself time to decide on your specialty.
If you want to learn more, you can check out our blog!