Medical Consultant Training & Job Requirements
Research the path to becoming a medical consultant. Familiarize yourself with the training and licensing requirements you'll need to meet as well as the average salaries for medical consultants.
Career Information At a Glance
Medical consultants provide administrative and financial guidance to hospitals and other healthcare providers. Leadership and interpersonal skills are two very important skills needed to succeed in this profession. Check out the following table for more details.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Typical Entry-Level Education</b> </td><td> Bachelor's Degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Health administration, health management, nursing, public health administration, and business administration</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b> </td><td> Analytical, communication ability, problem-solving, detail-oriented, and technical aptitude skills</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 32% (for all Medical and Health Services Managers)*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Average Annual Salary (2021)</b> </td><td> $68,870**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; **PayScale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoesAMedicalConsultantDo">What Does a Medical Consultant Do?</h3><p>Medical consultants work in the healthcare sector and are responsible for providing services related to budgeting, salary allocation, and staffing distribution among other things. They also offer advice to healthcare employees who care for patients. Medical consultants may also work as independent contractors. Their day to day tasks might include developing and implementing organizational policies or programs, maintaining operational records, directing financial operations, recruiting personnel, and ensuring that a good standard of care is being provided at their facility. Apart from hospitals, medical consultants work in physical therapy centers, dentists offices, and residential care facilities.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheBasicEntryRequirements">What are the Basic Entry Requirements?</h3><p>Most medical consultants are required to hold a bachelor's degree in the field of health administration, health management, nursing, public health administration, or business administration. These degrees often combine healthcare with management courses that train students in health services management, accounting and budgeting, human resources administration, law and ethics, and health economics.
</p><p>Employers often require their medical consultants to have work experience in an administrative or a clinical role in a healthcare facility. Medical consultants serving in the administrative department gain experience by working as medical technicians, administrative assistants, or financial clerks. Similarly, a medical consultant working as a nursing home administrator often has experience as a registered nurse.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheTrainingRequirements">What are the Training Requirements?</h3><p>Medical consultant training requirements vary depending on the needs of the specific job position. Generally, no training is required since most necessary skills have been learned in previous job positions. However, some employers might provide on-the-job training. In the case of nursing home administrators, all states require that they complete a state-approved training program.
</p><h3 id="section---DoINeedToBeLicensedOrCertified">Do I need to be Licensed or Certified?</h3><p>Many employers prefer their medical consultants to be certified as it demonstrates the competence and skills required for this profession. However, some employers might require their medical consultants to be a registered nurse or medical technician which might require the medical consultant to hold a license or complete certain certifications. Certifications can be obtained from the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management in the field of medical management and from the American Health Information Management Association in the field of health information management.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatMightIEarn">What Might I Earn?</h3><p>According to PayScale.com, a medical consultant earns an average salary of $68,870 per year (2021). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,000. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for all medical and health services managers is estimated to grow 32% during 2020-30 which is much faster than average for all professions.</p>