Are you interested in managing healthcare facilities and teams? If so, a career in healthcare management might be perfect for you! This growing field involves planning, directing, and coordinating health services in various settings. From managing an entire healthcare facility to supervising specific departments, healthcare managers play vital roles in ensuring efficient operations.

In this guide, we’ll explore what healthcare management involves, where you might work, and the educational path required to start a career in this exciting field.

What Do Healthcare Managers Do?

Healthcare managers, also known as medical and health services managers, take on leadership roles within healthcare organizations. Depending on their expertise and education, they might oversee a whole facility or manage specific processes or departments.

Common tasks include:

• Improving office efficiency
• Setting goals for departments
• Hiring and onboarding staff
• Supervising staff
• Monitoring budgets
• Handling billing tasks

The duties can vary depending on the type of facility you work in and your level of responsibility. However, at the heart of healthcare management is the goal of keeping everything running smoothly.

Healthcare Management vs. Healthcare Administration: What’s the Difference?

While the terms “healthcare management” and “healthcare administration” are often used interchangeably, there are key differences.

• Healthcare Management refers to overseeing many aspects of a healthcare facility, from staffing to budgeting and communication across leadership teams. It’s a broad role that covers almost everything in the healthcare office.
• Healthcare Administration, on the other hand, focuses specifically on managing staff. This involves hiring, onboarding, creating schedules, and supervising employees.

Both fields are critical, but healthcare management tends to be more holistic, overseeing the entire operation, whereas healthcare administration is more focused on people management.

Job Outlook and Salary

The future looks bright for healthcare managers! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is projected to grow by 20% from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for other occupations. The demand for skilled managers is high due to the growth of the healthcare industry.

Salaries in healthcare management vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Location (for example, working in a large city in the USA can offer higher salaries)
• Years of experience
• Education level

Entry-level positions typically offer competitive salaries, with room for growth as you gain experience and advance into higher roles.

Healthcare Management Job Opportunities

There’s a wide range of job opportunities within healthcare management, and your education level will influence the type of roles available to you.

Entry-level positions (typically requiring an associate’s degree) include:

• Front Desk Supervisor
• Medical Accounts Receivable Specialist
• Medical Office Specialist

As you advance in your education (with a bachelor’s or master’s degree), you can qualify for higher-level positions such as:

• Health Information Manager
• Office Manager
• Program Manager
• Clinical Manager

Education and Skills Required for Healthcare Management

Educational requirements for healthcare management roles depend on the position and the employer. Many associate degree programs prepare you for entry-level roles, but direct management positions often require a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Common courses in healthcare management programs include:

• Accounting
• Healthcare Law
• Business Office Operations
• Human Resources Management
• Medical Terminology

Along with education, healthcare managers need a set of specific skills, including:

• Analytical abilities for understanding complex systems
• Leadership skills to guide teams
• Detail-oriented thinking to ensure nothing is missed
• Interpersonal skills to work well with staff and patients
• Technical proficiency in healthcare software

Licensure and Certification

Licensing and certification requirements vary depending on the role and the state where you work. For example, nursing home and assisted living administrators need to be licensed in all states, and you may need to pass state-specific exams.

For most healthcare management positions, however, licensing isn’t required, unless you’re focusing on specialized fields like nursing or social work.

Is Healthcare Management Right for You?

Healthcare management offers a rewarding and dynamic career with plenty of room for growth. If you enjoy leadership roles, are detail-oriented, and want to make a difference in healthcare, this might be the right path for you. With the growing demand for healthcare services, now is a great time to start your education in this field.

If you’re interested in learning more, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics or explore healthcare programs at your local colleges and universities. The field is constantly evolving, and there’s no better time than now to get involved!

For more information, check out resources like HealthManagement.org and American College of Healthcare Executives.