What Can I Do with a Health Services Management Degree?

<p>A bachelor's degree is the most common requirement for health services management careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These degrees can go under a few different titles, such as Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, Bachelor of Health Service Management or even Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management. No matter the title, these degree programs should provide students with an understanding of both management principles and the organization of healthcare facilities. Individuals who want to obtain upper-level management or hospital director positions may want to also complete a master's degree in health services management. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutHealthServicesManagementCareers">Important Facts About Health Services Management Careers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $113,730 (<i>Medical and Health Services Manager</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2016-2026) </td><td> 20% (<i>Medical and Health Services Manager</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td> Licensure </td><td> Required for nursing care facility administrator</td></tr> <tr><td> Certification </td><td> Optional but beneficial</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsHealthServiceManagementOrHealthcareServiceManagement">What is Health Service Management (or Healthcare Service Management)?</h3> <p>Health service management is an industry involving the administration, coordination and planning of financial and business strategies in the healthcare industry. Such duties may be performed in clinics, hospitals, health insurance companies and other related care facilities. The job outlook for this field is a positive one, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - with a 20 percent growth expected from 2016 to 2026. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithAHealthServiceManagementDegree">What Can I Do With a Health Service Management Degree?</h3> <p>Graduates of a health services management degree can pursue various roles under medical and health services management, including health information managers, <a href="http://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Become_a_Nursing_Home_Administrator.html">nursing home administrators</a> and clinical managers. Each role may have its own educational and training requirements prior to obtaining employment. For example, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Get_My_Administrator_License_for_a_Nursing_Home.html">nursing home administrators need a license</a> in all states, which generally requires a bachelor's degree, the completion of a state-approved training program, and a passing score on a national license exam. Other areas of health service management typically do not require licensure or certification. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoMedicalAndHealthServicesManagersDo">What Do Medical and Health Services Managers Do?</h3> <p>As a medical and health services manager, you will work closely with healthcare professionals (such as physicians, surgeons, nurses and technicians) to plan, coordinate and direct the medical and health service activities of the facility. You may manage an entire facility or a specific department or practice. Common duties will include preparing and managing financial budgets, maintaining records of facility services, creating work schedules and training new staff members. </p> <h3 id="section---HealthServicesManagementSalary">Health Services Management Salary</h3> <p>Salary rates vary depending on the industry in which health services managers work. According to the 2018 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top paying industry is the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, with an annual mean wage of $221,290. This is followed by the navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing industry (with an annual average salary of $176,740) and the scientific research and development services industry (paying an average salary of $166,960). </p> <p>The average annual salary all medical and health service managers is $113,730, with most earning between $58,680 and $182,600 (as of May 2018).</p>