Prospective and current students who are interested in getting involved with the business side of health care may find the career path confusing, with guidelines differing from state to state and wide-ranging professions to choose from in health care administration.
Discover Health Admin, an independently owned organization, serves as a resource for people who are looking to begin or further their careers in health care administration. The organization compiles information into comprehensive state-by-state guides that provide information on salaries, top employers, and career paths as well as how to earn a degree in a related field, with the goal of helping individuals discover which facet of health care administration best aligns with their interests and goals.
Focusing solely on the business aspect of health care, Discover Health Admin provides resources that outline careers ranging from staffing and budgets to operations management of health care facilities and doctor groups. Along with providing information about careers in health care administration, Discover Health Admin also offers guidance for scholarships and entrance into graduate school for those who want to pursue an MHA, MBA/HCA, MPH or MPA degree.
Students can choose from numerous career paths in health care administration, and many of the positions require different levels of education. To assist prospective students in making informed decisions, Discover Health Admin offers a guide on the differing health care administration degree options. This resource outlines the available health care admin degrees for employment, which range from two-year associate’s degrees to graduate degrees. It also explores the differences in job responsibilities, opportunities, and prospects associated with each level of education.
An associate’s degree in health care administration, for example, builds a strong foundation in leadership and administration skills that lead to assistant, manager, or coordinator positions. Courses at the associate level emphasize the communication, administrative, and organizational skills needed in order to maintain positive relationships with customers and patients. With an associate’s degree, individuals may be able to find entry-level positions in long-term care administration, managed care, hospice administration, and patient access services.
An associate's degree in health care administration builds a strong foundation in leadership and administration skills.
A bachelor’s program in health care administration goes beyond focusing on primarily customer satisfaction, stressing analytical and conceptual skills that allow students to address more complex issues relating to business, finance, economics, accounting, leadership and ethics. The coursework exposes students to various aspects of health care administration, offering a thorough understanding of leadership and management and the importance of teamwork. Students learn in the classroom and through their own internship experiences and other real-world scenarios.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in health care administration, students can find positions in managerial offices of nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, medical practices, and other health care facilities.
Graduate degrees in health care, on the other hand, lead to positions that require more responsibility. With an MHA or MBA, graduates are equipped to work with a health organization’s finances. Graduates who are more interested in information technology can land positions managing a tech division of a health organization. Throughout the degree program, students will gain the necessary knowledge of organization structure, policies, and service delivery.
Students should consider job responsibilities and salaries prior to choosing which degree program to enroll in. More advanced degrees in health care administration can lead to larger incomes but also require a larger amount of daily duties.
Students in Illinois who want to pursue a degree in health care administration can view the organization’s state-specific requirements. This guide includes recommendations for becoming a health care administrator as well as an overview of what to expect while earning a degree in this field. Using this guide, Illinois residents can discover the largest health care employers in the state, learn about professional associations, and view career opportunities.
When the time comes to begin searching for employment, Discover Health Admin further supports students by allowing them to easily search for jobs in health care administration on its virtual job board.
Individuals who are thinking about a career in this field must have a strong understanding of the health care administration industry. They must also be able to analyze information, think critically, develop solutions, and communicate effectively. Additionally, they should be able to make decisions, remain ethical, and accept responsibility. Policies and situations in health care administration often evolve, so it is important for administration professionals to be adaptable. Those who possess these abilities may find the health care administration field to be a suitable and rewarding career path.