Check out which healthcare administration certifications are state-mandated and how you can earn voluntary certifications. Explore the courses and degrees that train healthcare administrators, and the career outlook in this field.
What Certification Is Required to Work as a Healthcare Administrator?
There are many different kinds of healthcare administrators. For most positions, no certification is required. However, if you want to work as an administrator in a nursing care facility, you'll need to meet certain education and licensure requirements. Usually, you'll need to have at least a bachelor's degree and complete a state-administered training program to qualify for licensing. Most states require continued education to renew a license.
Voluntary certification options exist that can demonstrate your management proficiency and industry knowledge. For example, the Registered Health Administrator certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association. Additionally, the American College of Health Care Administrators confers Certified Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Assisted Living Administrator.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td> RHA, CNHA, and CALA voluntary certification credentials are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Program Levels</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree, master's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td> Health insurance advocate, health program evaluator, volunteer service coordinator, medical billing specialist, healthcare marketing specialist</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---HowDoIPrepareForThisJob">How Do I Prepare for This Job?</h3><p>You might qualify for some health administrator jobs with a bachelor's degree in such areas as business or healthcare management. You can earn a bachelor's degree in four years, and some schools offer courses online. An undergraduate program might introduce you to healthcare and clinical management fundamentals, finance, managed care, facility performance and public health.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the more common requirement for healthcare administrators is a master's degree. To prepare for the job at the graduate level, you could pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in healthcare administration. MBA programs can be completed in 2-3 years, and several schools offer courses part-time and online. In addition to some general business management training, a healthcare administration concentration educates you in those business practices and strategies relevant to a healthcare setting.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheJobMarketLike">What Is the Job Market Like?</h3><p>With a degree in healthcare administration, you could pursue jobs like health program evaluator, public health analyst, volunteer service coordinator, medical billing specialist, hospice director or healthcare marketing specialist. Other possible job titles include managed care negotiator, clinic administrator, home health agency director, health insurance advocate or patient admissions manager. According to the BLS, a 32% increase in health services management jobs was projected from 2019-2029. The median annual salary for these professionals was $104,280 as of May 2020.</p>
