The field of health care is undergoing rapid changes. An aging population, new technology and a more demanding legislative and insurance environment make delivering health services more complicated than ever. If you’re interested in joining this growing field, consider training to pursue a career in health services administration. Health services administrators help coordinate the day-to-day operations of health care organizations through the use of business administration practices tempered by a deep understanding of issues surrounding the health sector.
The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 16 percent growth at the national level for health services management positions from 2008 to 2018, so job prospects for those with proper training and experience, allowing for variances in local job markets, should generally be good. Here is an overview of the field of health services administration, based on national estimates by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What health services administrators do
Health services administrators assist with the management of health care operations, with a view toward improving efficiency of service and patient care. This includes management of the day-to-day office activities, but can also extend to making business policy decisions in consultation with medical staff.
Generally, administrators act in a supervisory role for other administrative staff, often coordinating efforts with other managers within the organization, such as clinical directors. A health services administrator’s exact duties will vary depending upon the size and mission of the organization he or she serves in: In a large hospital, an administrator may coordinate efforts in one surgical department and report to a director. In a small private practice, the administrator may have more control of the overall operations.
Common responsibilities for this role in any organization may include:
* Managing medical and insurance records
* Overseeing patient admissions procedures
* Staff management, including hiring, scheduling, etc.
* Financial record maintenance and departmental budgeting
* Monitoring and purchasing supplies
* Choosing resources, such as information management software
What health services administrators need to know
In order to function effectively as a health services administrator, students need to pursue a foundation of business administration knowledge alongside coursework that provides an understanding of the health care environment. This combination of skills and competencies prepare the student to effectively drive operations at their organization toward better patient care and employee efficiency. Course topics might include:
* Accounting and finance
* Marketing
* Legal aspects of health care and health information management
* Medical terminology
* Human resources management
* Change management
* Project management
If you are researching degree programs that can help you prepare for a role in health services administration, there are a few things you need to know. First, in order to qualify for most entry-level positions in this field, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in business or management with a health care concentration should provide the right training.
If you already have an associate degree in a health care-related field, or hold an associate degree in another field, but have experience working in health care, you can also apply to bachelor degree completion programs that focus on health management or health services administration. These shorter programs can also be pursued online – a convenient option for those who need to continue working full-time while studying.
Information in this article was provided by Colorado Technical University. Contact CTU today if you’re interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with an industry-current degree program. (CTU does not guarantee employment or salary.)
