6 Jobs You Can Get With a Health Administration Degree

If you have a passion for helping others, then a role within the healthcare industry may be exactly the career choice you need.

Our healthcare systems are set in place to ensure quality patient care for those in need. As a health administrator, you may find a managerial-level role in nursing homes, such as in human resource management or informatics.

There are many different career fields. You can pursue to ensure job growth and employability in the future. These are the top six jobs you can get with a health administration degree.

6 Top Jobs for a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration

There are multiple career paths for soon-to-be health administrators. Check out some of these health professions that offer a mix of patient care and team management.

1. Medical Director

A medical director is the leader within healthcare organizations and oversees the entire function of the company. This person is usually responsible for managing other professionals in leadership positions within the healthcare setting.

They are responsible for high-level decision-making and strategic planning to ensure the success of the practice. They are also responsible for approving budgets that may be presented by other financial teams.

2. Health Services Manager

Working under the medical director is the health services manager, another professional with significant responsibilities.

They are responsible for keeping track of employees and providing top-of-the-line healthcare delivery to all patients. The health service manager must ensure that new hires in the entire facility provide excellent care. This type of position usually requires at least a graduate degree, plus any applicable certification to be considered.

3. Hospital Administrator

While this role is still within the management category, it does require a professional to work directly in the front office.

The hospital administrator is responsible for handling medical records in a HIPPA-compliant manner, working with insurance companies to cover the medical costs of their patients, and working within information systems.

4. Director of Nursing

The director of nursing is a professional who is the manager of all nurses on staff. They may be responsible for scheduling and coordinating employees to ensure adequate staffing within healthcare facilities. A director of nursing must be well-versed in financial management to not go over budget when coordinating employees or ordering supplies.

This professional will also work hands-on with patients and may need to show their ability to handle real-world medical situations.

5. Assisted Living Administrator

This administrative position is typically found in nursing homes where patients are living full-time. The assisted living administrator is responsible for the intake of new patients and ensuring that the best healthcare services are offered around the clock to these individuals.

Typically, a Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration is sufficient for this type of role. These professionals must have a clear understanding of health policy and elderly care within the healthcare field.

6. Health Information Manager

The health information manager is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of patient medical records in the system. This position is angled more toward health information technology.

Professional competencies include demonstrating a strong knowledge of:

• healthcare systems
• leadership skills
• public health

A degree program in health information management with relevant IT coursework is typically expected for new hires.

FAQs About Health Administration Degrees

If you're curious about the different career options, you may also find some unanswered questions about earning a health administration degree.

Here will discuss frequently asked questions about health administration.

What Does a Healthcare Administrator Do?

A healthcare administrator is responsible for the care of patients and the coordination of other staff members in the office. This professional will usually have a degree in health sciences to further their employability beyond graduation.

Entry-level positions in this field usually include:

• patient intake
• handling medical records
• data entry into the healthcare system
• collaborating with other healthcare professionals

Is a Healthcare Administration Degree Worth It?

Yes! A healthcare administration degree can be a great stepping point in your career if you're interested in patient support.

What Is the Difference Between Health Care Administration and Health Care Management?

The primary difference between healthcare administration and healthcare management comes from the volume of employees reporting to you.

A healthcare manager is usually responsible for managing a variety of employees, which includes:

• scheduling
• budgeting
• handling conflicts in the office

A healthcare administrator is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations of the office, including patient intake, medical records, and billing.

Do I Have To Earn a Master's Degree To Become a Healthcare Administrator?

While most employers prefer to see an advanced degree, it might not always be required. In some cases, professionals who earned their education in an undergraduate healthcare administration program can be eligible for administrative positions.

What Are the Current Challenges Faced by Healthcare Administrators?

Like all professions, there are some challenges that healthcare administrators face. The road to an advanced management position can be a long one, with lots of education and certification requirements. It can be both costly and take a lot of time to complete an advanced degree. Most professionals attend graduate programs to obtain their master of business administration or master of health administration.

These positions also require a few years of experience to be eligible for promotion.

How Do I Become a Certified Health Care Administrator?

Certification is usually required for professionals working in healthcare administration. The most common certifications include:

• Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)
• Certified Medical Manager (CMM)
• Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)

Various certifying bodies manage the process to obtain proper certification, so start by deciding which option is right for you. Then apply directly through the managing company and follow their certification directions.